High softness, high durability bath tissues with temporary wet strength

ABSTRACT

A multi-ply bath tissue includes cellulosic microfibers and wood pulp fibers. The bath tissue has sufficient temporary wet strength resin to provide an initial Finch Cup cross-machine direction (CD) wet tensile of from about 2.5 to about 20 g/3 in. per pound of basis weight, decaying to less than 65% of the initial value in less than 15 minutes after immersion in water, and a caliper of at least 5 mils per 8 sheets per pound of basis weight. At least one of the plies includes a plurality of fiber-enriched hollow domed regions having a relatively high basis weight, a plurality of connecting regions having a relatively lower basis weight forming a network interconnecting the fiber-enriched hollow domed regions of the sheet, and a plurality of transition regions with upwardly and inwardly inflected consolidated fibrous regions transitioning from the connecting regions into the fiber-enriched hollow domed regions.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a continuation application of copending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/063,637, filed Mar. 8, 2016, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/548,600, filed Jul.13, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,309,627, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/457,991, filed Jul. 28, 2011.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Bath tissue must reconcile several competing imperatives. It must besoft. It must be strong. It must absolutely be flushable and protect theuser's hands, while also being effective at cleaning. Bath tissue isprimarily used for dry cleaning, although there have been severalproduct entries that were advertised as being suitable for wet cleaning,being primarily, pre-moistened.

Requiring that bath tissue also have significant wet strength immenselycomplicates the problems that a tissue manufacturer faces, as not onlyare wet strength and flushability in direct conflict, but softnessusually suffers as well when strength is increased, while use of wettissue can result in linting—conflicting with, if not entirely negating,a bath tissue's raison d'être of cleaning.

BACKGROUND

Against this background, it is apparent that, while some products havereconciled these competing “must-haves” to some extent, there has been alongstanding un-met need for a bath tissue truly surmounting theseinherent conflicts. There are also many patents that seem to assume thatthere is little more to making a viable bath tissue that is usableeither dry or premoistened than providing a tissue weight product withsignificant initial wet strength that decays with time. We havediscovered that we can provide a bath tissue that achieves a previouslyunmatched combination of wet and dry properties by incorporating a minorproportion of cellulosic microfibers into a furnish that is used forbath tissue, then forming a tissue web using a belt creping process, inwhich a nascent web at a consistency of between about 30 and about 60%is creped from an internally heated creping roll using a creping belt.We have found that, with belt-creping and cellulose microfiber (CMF)content, we can produce sheets that are particularly resistant tolinting, even when used wet, while also retaining both sufficient wetstrength to protect the user's hand and sufficient softness to be useddry by sensitive users. We have also found that we can substitute acontrolled coarseness alkaline peroxide mechanical pulp (APMP) intothese wet strength bath tissues as a replacement for eucalyptus kraft,and obtain excellent softness, wet strength, lint resistance and wetlint resistance, with very small amounts of CMF.

Others have attempted to address the need for a flushable bath tissuethat can be used dry or premoistened, with a variety of wet wipeformulations, wherein fibers in the wet wipe are bonded together with astrength resin that is stabilized by a chemical species in the imbuementof the wet wipe, but is destabilized upon exposure to a large quantityof “normal” water. Thus, the wipe remains strong as long as theimbuement is in contact with the wipe in its package and for a periodafter removal, because the imbuement stabilizes the resin, but, when theimbuement is removed or, more properly, diluted with water, the strengthagent is rendered less effective and the wipe, at least in theory,becomes dispersible. A major tissue producer is reported to haveattempted to commercialize such a technology that was, however, not wellaccepted by the market. In another approach involving wet wipes, somecircles maintain that flushability does not really require that thesheet disintegrate after flushing as long as the size of the sheet iskept under some fairly small maximum. Limited consumer research that hasbeen conducted, however, indicates that most users will remove and useseveral sheets of bath tissue from the roll at a time, so that the sheetused has an area several times that of the so-called “flushable wetwipe” in which “flushability” is predicated upon the size of the sheet.

In contrast, the present invention is based upon a product that can bestored dry on a perforated roll and used like a conventional bath tissueemploying a convenient number of unseparated sheets, as the userprefers. If, however, premoistened shortly before use, the tissueretains a sufficient wet strength to be used in the moist state withoutlinting, pilling or shredding, but will disintegrate within a reasonabletime after flushing, so that the effectiveness of plumbing is not undulycompromised. Significantly, these goals are achieved without requiringanother product in the bathroom; although some users may prefer to use asmall container, such as a spray bottle to hold aqueous liquid formoistening the sheet immediately before use. Such bottles can beconveniently disposed inside the roll core of packaged tissue, aspromotional or introductory items, if desired.

As use of the present invention makes it possible to achieve quite ahigh wet/dry ratio, softness does not unduly suffer, as the actual drytensile strength, which is strongly associated—negatively—with perceivedsoftness, can be moderate, while the wet strength can remain quite highin the first minutes after moistening. Thus, the strength and softnessof the tissue of the present invention can be comparable to that ofpremium bath tissue, while retaining a high temporary wet strength. Eventhough, when used with conventional papermaking furnishes, many wetstrength resins make it possible to achieve wet strength levelsnecessary for the tissue to be employed premoistened, in many cases, thetactile properties of the dry sheet can be somewhat compromised thereby.

When employing substantial amounts of cellulosic microfibers in thefurnish, in conjunction with temporary wet strength resin andbelt-creped paper making technology, we have found that we can achieve asurprisingly good combination of softness, opacity, wet strength andresistance to pilling and shredding in a flushable bath tissue. Inaddition, the flushable bath tissue is capable of being stored on aroll, as is conventional bath tissue, and suitable for use either dry orpremoistened. When alkaline peroxide mechanically pulped (APMP)eucalyptus fiber is included, we have found that we can obtain excellentresults, even using far less of the cellulosic microfiber, even whenusing conventional wet press (CWP) technology. We have furtherdiscovered that the APMP eucalyptus fiber is an excellent substitute forconventional eucalyptus kraft fiber in conventional bath tissue,imparting increased opacity, bulk, softness, absorbency and reducedstrength, even to tissue made with recycle furnishes.

One early pre-wettable tissue was disclosed in Bhat et al., “PrewettableHigh Softness Paper Product Having Temporary Wet Strength”, U.S. Pat.No. 5,958,187, Sep. 28, 1999, relating to a paper product with aglabrous surface and adapted for use either dry or use in a manuallypre-moistened condition. Bhat et al. disclose a paper product having atemporary wet strength and exhibiting an initial normalized crossmachine direction (CD) wet tensile strength of at least about 25 g/in.strip, preferably, 35 g/in. strip as measured by the Finch Cup Test 5seconds after immersion, and a subsequent CD wet tensile strength ofless than about ⅔ the initial value as measured 30 minutes afterimmersion. Temporary wet strength was provided by addition to thefurnish of a temporary wet strength agent comprising aldehydic units inthe range of from about 2 pounds per ton to about 30 pounds per ton. Thefurnish also included a cationic nitrogenous softener/debonder in anamount of from about 1 pound per ton to about 6 pounds per ton. The CDdry tensile strength of the paper product was from about 133 g/in. stripup to about 267 g/in. strip, and the tensile modulus was from about 10to about 32 g/% strain, while the geometric mean friction deviation (GMMMD value) was from about 0.26 to about 0.10. The CD wet strength of theproduct decays to about 15 g/in. within 10 hours after immersion. Whenrubbed against a skin-like surface in a moistened condition, the paperproduct remains substantially free of pilling. Significantly, in Bhat etal., the wet abrasion resistance of a 2″ by 4.5″ sample of tissue wasmeasured under a load of 135 grams against a wetted pigskin, and visualobservation was made to determine whether the sample left pills, shredsor lint behind.

Another early pre-wettable tissue was disclosed in Van Luu et al. [sic,Luu et al.], “Prewettable High Softness Paper Product Having TemporaryWet Strength”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,928, May 9, 2000, in which atemporary wet strength agent comprising uncharged chemical moieties,such as aldehydes, and aldehydes containing polymers, polyols and cyclicureas, or mixtures thereof, in the range of from about 2 pounds per tonto about 30 pounds per ton are added to the web to provide the temporarywet strength. In this application, glyoxal was preferably sprayed on thesheet after it left the Yankee dryer.

“Belt-Creped, Variable Local Basis Weight Absorbent Sheet Prepared WithPerforated Polymeric Belt” is disclosed in Super et al. U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2010/0186913, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,293,072(incorporated herein by reference), which produces cellulosic tissuesheets exhibiting a surprising combination of bulk, roll firmness,absorbency and softness, from a sheet with a fiber-enriched higher basisweight, hollow domed regions joined by a network of lower local basisweight connecting regions forming a network in which upwardly andinwardly inflected consolidated fibrous regions exhibiting CD fiberorientation bias form transition areas between the connecting regionsand the domed regions. The consolidated fibrous regions are, preferably,saddle shaped and exhibit a matted structure on both their outer andinner surfaces. Related technology is found in the following U.S. patentapplications and U.S. patents: U.S. Pat. No. 7,494,563 entitled “FabricCreped Absorbent Sheet with Variable Local Basis Weight”, U.S. Pat. No.7,399,378 entitled “Fabric Crepe Process for Making Absorbent Sheet”,U.S. Pat. No. 7,789,995 entitled “Fabric Crepe/Draw Process forProducing Absorbent Sheet”, the application of which was acontinuation-in-part of the application of U.S. Pat. No. 7,399,378entitled “Fabric Crepe Process for Making Absorbent Sheet”, U.S. Pat.No. 7,442,278 entitled “Fabric Crepe and In Fabric Drying Process forProducing Absorbent Sheet”, U.S. Pat. No. 7,503,998 entitled “HighSolids Fabric Crepe Process for Producing Absorbent Sheet With In-FabricDrying”, U.S. Pat. No. 7,662,257 entitled “Multi-Ply Paper Towel WithAbsorbent Core”, U.S. Pat. No. 7,588,660 entitled “Wet-Pressed Tissueand Towel Products With Elevated CD Stretch and Low Tensile Ratios MadeWith a High Solids Fabric Crepe Process”, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,585,389entitled “Method of Making Fabric-Creped Sheet for Dispensers”, U.S.Pat. No. 7,850,823 entitled “Method of Controlling Adhesive Build-Up ona Yankee Dryer”, U.S. Pat. No. 7,651,589 entitled “Process for ProducingAbsorbent Sheet”, U.S. Pat. No. 7,662,255 entitled “Absorbent Sheet”,and U.S. Pat. No. 7,670,457, which are each a division of theapplication of U.S. Pat. No. 7,442,278; U.S. Pat. No. 7,588,661 entitled“Fabric Crepe Process for Making Absorbent Sheet”, and U.S. Pat. No.7,704,349 entitled “Fabric Crepe Process for Making Absorbent Sheet”,which are both a division of the application of U.S. Pat. No. 7,399,378,and U.S. Pat. No. 7,670,457 entitled “Process for Producing AbsorbentSheet”. The papermaking technology disclosed in the foregoing documentsin this paragraph, the disclosures of which are all incorporated hereinby reference in their entireties, makes it possible to form sheets withextremely high bulk stretch and absorbency.

Canadian Patent Application No. 2,095,554 in the name of William D.Lloyd, published Aug. 6, 1994, discloses that hardwood bleached chemicalthermomechanical pulp (BCTMP) fibers at amounts of about 5 weightpercent or greater provide a soft tissue useful for use as facial orbath tissue, but fails to disclose the degree of bleaching and chemicalrefining applied to his fibers and is devoid of information concerningthe brightness, lignin content or Kappa number of his fibers, other thanto state that the fibers contain “substantial amounts of lignin” and thethat pulping yield is “about 90% or greater”. Lloyd also states that “itis not necessary to bury the BCTMP fibers in the middle of the tissuesheet by layering. Instead, the tissue sheets can be blended using amixture of hardwood BCTMP fibers (for softness) and longer softwoodfibers (for strength). If a layered tissue is preferred, the hardwoodBCTMP fibers can be utilized in the outer layer(s).”

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

We have found that we can achieve this desirable combination ofproperties in a two- or three-ply sheet formed from belt crepedcellulosic basesheet, the multi-ply sheet having a basis weight of fromabout 20 to about 35 lbs and comprising from about 10% to about 30%cellulosic microfiber, from about 70% to about 90% wood pulp fibers,with a geometric mean (GM) dry tensile of from about 35 to 80 g/3 in.per pound of basis weight, a CD dry tensile of between about 30 to about60 g/3 in. per pound of basis weight, sufficient wet strength resin toprovide a CD wet tensile of from about 8.5 to about 20 g/3 in. per poundof basis weight, and a caliper of at least 5 mils per 8 sheets per poundof basis weight. Preferably, such a multi-ply tissue will have anopacity of at least about 2.5 McBeth Opacity Units per pound of basisweight. More preferably, the basis weight will be between 22 and 32 lbsper 3000 sq ft ream. Upon testing for Dry Lint, as referenced herein,sheets of the present invention will exhibit a ΔL* of less than about 6.(“L*” as used in this connection relates to International Commission onIllumination (CIE) 1976, also known as CIELAB measurement of lightnessand should not be confused with Hunter lightness, typically denominated“L”. In this connection, the asterisk “*” is not a reference markdirecting the reader to some other location in this document, but aportion of the commonly used symbol for CIE 1976 lightness “L*”.) Whentested for wet lint as set forth herein, sheets of the present inventionwill exhibit a Wet Abraded Lint Area of less than about 35 mm².Alternatively, when tested as set forth herein, resistance to wetlinting will be represented by the number of fibers removed having alength of greater than 40 μm, with products of the invention suffering aloss of less than 2500 fibers having a length of greater than 40 μm.

We also have discovered that inclusion of eucalyptus pre-conditioningrefiner chemical alkaline peroxide mechanical pulp (APMP) into tissueformulations intended to be used pre-wetted makes it possible todramatically improve the performance of these tissues, even withconcentrations of cellulosic microfiber below the 10% by weight level inconventional wet press technology (i.e., CWP) tissues. U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/574,200, entitled “High Softness, HighDurability Bath Tissue Incorporating High Lignin Eucalyptus Fiber”,filed on Jul. 28, 2011, naming Jeffrey A. Lee and Daniel W. Sumnicht asinventors, illustrates the suitability of eucalyptus pre-conditioningrefiner chemical alkaline peroxide mechanical pulp referred to herein aseucalyptus (APMP). We have found that we can get surprisingly goodsoftness, bulk and wet properties using eucalyptus APMP, in conjunctionwith relatively low contents of CMF, even in CWP products. Accordingly,it is evident that eucalyptus APMP can be substituted into theformulations described elsewhere in this application to significantbenefit, particularly, in cases when the amount of CMF is below 20% byweight.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a shaker for use in the“Dispersibility Test” described herein.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a fixture used for holding thetest bottle used in the “Dispersibility Test” upright, while thecontents are being drained therefrom.

FIG. 3 is photomicrograph of a perforated polymeric belt suitable forthe practice of the present invention.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic illustrations of papermachine configurationssuitable for the practice of the present invention, FIG. 4 being aso-called crescent former and FIG. 5 being a twin wire.

FIGS. 6A to 6D are photographs of black felts used in the “Dry LintTest” described herein.

FIG. 7 is a graphical representation of results of softness and tensiletesting described in Example 1 hereof, wherein QN UP represents QuiltedNorthern® Ultra Plush and QN SS represents Quilted Northern® Soft &Strong.

FIGS. 8A to 8D are graphical comparisons of properties of tissues of thepresent invention, particularly, softness, as compared to commerciallyavailable tissue products illustrating that Applicants have succeeded inmanufacturing dispersible (flushable) temporary wet strength bathtissues that not only can achieve at least parity softness withconventional ultra premium bath tissue, but have sufficient temporarywet strength to be usable pre-wetted without leaving excessive lintbehind in use, whether used pre-wetted or dry.

FIGS. 9A to 9E are photographs of black felts used in the “Wet AbrasionLint Test” described herein, of tissues described in Example 3 hereof

FIG. 10 is photomicrograph of a perforated polymeric belt suitable forthe practice of the present invention, while FIG. 11 is a schematicscale drawing of the perforated polymeric belt shown in FIG. 10.

FIGS. 12 and 13 compare the Dry and Wet Lint properties of tissues ofthe present invention to commercially available tissues.

FIG. 14 illustrates a schematic sectional view of a three-ply tissuewith two stratified outer plies and a homogeneous inner ply, whereineucalyptus alkaline peroxide mechanical pulp (APMP) is incorporated inall three plies.

FIG. 15 is a bubble graph illustrating the inter-relationship among thesoftness, CD wet strength and wet linting resistance of severalprototype products.

FIG. 16 is a bubble graph illustrating the inter-relationship amongdispersibility, CD wet strength and resistance to wet linting of severalprototype products.

FIG. 17 illustrates the dry tensile strength and softness of severalprototype tissue products.

FIG. 18 illustrates the caliper and basis weight of CWP prototype tissueproducts in comparison with those of Fabric Reorienting Belt Creping(“FRBC”) prototypes.

FIG. 19 illustrates the softness and wet lint resistance of CWPprototype tissue products in comparison with those of FRBC prototypeswith bubble size representing basis weight.

FIG. 20 is a schematic illustration of a glass microscope slide markedfor use in the “Wet Abrasion Lint Test” test described herein.

FIGS. 21 to 23 are sectional scanning electron micrographs (SEM's)illustrating domed structures having consolidated regions formedtherein.

FIG. 24 is a schematic of the process of preparing eucalyptus APMP.

FIGS. 25 and 26 illustrate a fixture used for measuring roll compressionof towel and tissue products. (FIG. 26 is a sectional view taken alongline 28-28 of FIG. 25.)

FIGS. 27, 27A to 27F, 27H, and 27T illustrate details of the embosspattern U 19 referred to herein.

FIGS. 28, 28-A to 28-H, 28-J, 28-1, and 28-2 illustrate details of theemboss pattern HVS 9 referred to herein.

FIG. 29 illustrates the decay of CD wet tensile of various productsevaluated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention is described below with reference to numerous embodiments.Such a discussion is for purposes of illustration only. Modifications toparticular examples within the spirit and scope of the presentinvention, set forth in the appended claims, will be readily apparent toone of skill in the art.

Terminology used herein is given its ordinary meaning consistent withthe exemplary definitions set forth immediately below: mg refers tomilligrams and m² refers to square meters, mm² refers to squaremillimeters, and so forth.

The creping adhesive “add-on” rate is calculated by dividing the rate ofapplication of adhesive (mg/min) by surface area of the drying cylinderpassing under a spray applicator boom (m²/min). The resinous adhesivecomposition most preferably consists essentially of a polyvinyl alcoholresin and a polyamide-epichlorohydrin resin, wherein the weight ratio ofpolyvinyl alcohol resin to polyamide-epichlorohydrin resin is from about2 to about 4. The creping adhesive may also include modifier sufficientto maintain good transfer between the creping belt and the Yankeecylinder, generally, less than 5% by weight modifier, and, morepreferably, less than about 2% by weight modifier, for peeled products.For blade creped products, from about 5% to about 25% modifier or moremay be used.

Throughout this specification and claims, when we refer to a nascent webhaving an apparently random distribution of fiber orientation (or uselike terminology), we are referring to the distribution of fiberorientation that results when known forming techniques are used fordepositing a furnish on the forming fabric. When examinedmicroscopically, the fibers give the appearance of being randomlyoriented, even though, depending on the jet to wire speed ratio, theremay be a significant bias toward machine direction orientation makingthe machine direction tensile strength of the web exceed thecross-direction tensile strength.

In many applications related to U.S. Pat. No. 7,399,378, entitled“Fabric Crepe Process for Making Absorbent Sheet”, the importance of thedistinction between creping using a woven fabric and a creping beltformed by perforating a solid belt was of minor importance, so the term“belt” could apply to either creping medium. In this application,however, as well as in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/694,650,filed on Jan. 27, 2010, entitled “Belt-Creped, Variable Local BasisWeight Absorbent Sheet Prepared With Perforated Polymeric Belt” andpublished as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0186913, nowU.S. Pat. No. 8,293,072, the distinction between the use of a crepingfabric and a perforated polymeric belt is of considerable importance, asit has been found that use of a perforated polymeric belt makes itpossible to obtain consolidated regions, particularly, consolidatedsaddle shaped regions, in the web, giving it improved physicalproperties over the webs previously formed using the technique ofcreping from a transfer drum. For convenience, we refer to this methodof forming a sheet as Fiber Reorienting Belt Creping or FRBC. Further,in this application, it is demonstrated that CMF containing wipers madeusing a perforated polymeric belt have substantial performanceadvantages over wipers made using a woven creping fabric, which we termFiber Reorienting Fabric Creping or FRFC. Throughout this application,we have endeavored to make this distinction explicit, but, definitionallanguage in applications incorporated by reference notwithstanding, inthis application, belts and creping fabrics should not be considered tobe synonymous.

Unless otherwise specified, “basis weight”, BWT, bwt, BW, and so forth,refers to the weight of a 3000 square-foot ream of product (basis weightis also expressed in g/m² or gsm). Likewise, “ream” means a 3000square-foot ream, unless otherwise specified. Local basis weights anddifferences therebetween are calculated by measuring the local basisweight at two or more representative low basis weight areas within thelow basis weight regions and comparing the average basis weight to theaverage basis weight at two or more representative areas within therelatively high local basis weight regions. For example, if therepresentative areas within the low basis weight regions have an averagebasis weight of 15 lbs/3000 ft² ream and the average measured localbasis weight for the representative areas within the relatively highlocal basis regions is 20 lbs/3000 ft² ream, the representative areaswithin high local basis weight regions have a characteristic basisweight of ((20−15)/15)×100% or 33% higher than the representative areaswithin low basis weight regions. Preferably, the local basis weight ismeasured using a beta particle attenuation technique as referencedherein. In some cases, X-ray techniques can be suitably provided thatthe X-rays are sufficiently “soft”—that the energy of the photons issufficiently low and the basis weight differences between the variousregions of the sheet are sufficiently high, so that significantdifferences in attenuation are attained.

“Belt crepe ratio” is an expression of the speed differential betweenthe creping belt and the forming wire, and is typically calculated asthe ratio of the web speed immediately before belt creping and the webspeed immediately following belt creping, the forming wire and transfersurface being typically, but not necessarily, operated at the samespeed:

Belt crepe ratio=transfer cylinder speed÷creping belt speed.

Belt crepe can also be expressed as a percentage calculated as:

Belt crepe=[Belt crepe ratio−1]×100.

A web creped from a transfer cylinder with a surface speed of 750 fpm toa belt with a velocity of 500 fpm has a belt crepe ratio of 1.5 and abelt crepe of 50%.

For reel crepe, the reel crepe ratio is typically calculated as theYankee speed divided by reel speed. To express reel crepe as apercentage, one (1) is subtracted from the reel crepe ratio and theresult multiplied by 100.

The belt crepe/reel crepe ratio is calculated by dividing the belt crepeby the reel crepe.

The line or overall crepe ratio is calculated as the ratio of theforming wire speed to the reel speed and a % total crepe is:

Line Crepe−[Line Crepe Ratio−1]/100.

A process with a forming wire speed of 2000 fpm and a reel speed of 1000fpm has a line or total crepe ratio of 2 and a total crepe of 100%.

“Belt side” and like terminology refers to the side of the web that isin contact with the creping belt. “Dryer-side” or “Yankee-side” is theside of the web in contact with the drying cylinder, typically, oppositeto the belt-side of the web in many papermaking configurations. In theseconfigurations, the belt side could also be referred to as the air side.The air side, however, is always opposite to the Yankee side. In thisapplication, “belt side” is determined when the sheet is in contact withthe transfer cylinder from which it is creped by the creping belt.

Calipers and/or bulk reported herein may be measured at 8 or 16 sheetcalipers as specified. The sheets are stacked and the calipermeasurement taken about the central portion of the stack. Preferably,the test samples are conditioned in an atmosphere of 23°±1.0° C.(73.4°±1.8° F.) at 50% relative humidity for at least about 2 hours andthen measured with a Thwing-Albert Model 89-II-JR or Progage ElectronicThickness Tester with 2-in diameter anvils, 539±10 grams dead weightload, and 0.231 in/sec descent rate. For finished product testing, eachsheet of product to be tested must have the same number of plies as theproduct as sold. For testing in general, eight sheets are selected andstacked together. For napkin testing, napkins are unfolded prior tostacking. For base sheet testing off of winders, each sheet to be testedmust have the same number of plies as produced off of the winder. Forbase sheet testing off of the papermachine reel, single plies must beused. Sheets are stacked together aligned in the machine direction (MD).Bulk may also be expressed in units of volume/weight by dividing caliperby basis weight.

The term “cellulosic”, “cellulosic sheet”, and the like, is meant toinclude any wet-laid product incorporating papermaking fiber havingcellulose as a major constituent. “Papermaking fibers” include virginpulps or recycle (secondary) cellulosic fibers or fiber mixes comprisingcellulosic fibers. Fibers suitable for making the webs of this inventioninclude nonwood fibers, such as cotton fibers or cotton derivatives,abaca, kenaf, sabai grass, flax, esparto grass, straw, jute hemp,bagasse, milkweed floss fibers, and pineapple leaf fibers, and woodfibers, such as those obtained from deciduous and coniferous trees,including softwood fibers, such as northern and southern softwood kraftfibers, hardwood fibers, such as eucalyptus, maple, birch, aspen, or thelike. Papermaking fibers can be liberated from their source material byany one of a number of chemical pulping processes familiar to oneexperienced in the art, including sulfate, sulfite, polysulfide, sodapulping, etc. The pulp can be bleached, if desired, by chemical means,including the use of chlorine, chlorine dioxide, oxygen, alkalineperoxide, and so forth. The products of the present invention maycomprise a blend of conventional fibers (whether derived from virginpulp or recycle sources) and high coarseness lignin-rich tubular fibers,mechanical pulps, such as bleached chemical thermomechanical pulp(BCTMP). “Furnishes” and like terminology refers to aqueous compositionsincluding papermaking fibers, optionally, wet strength resins,debonders, and the like, for making paper products. Recycle fiber istypically more than 50% by weight hardwood fiber and may be 75% to 80%or more hardwood fiber.

As used herein, the term “compactively dewatering the web” (or furnish)refers to mechanical dewatering by overall wet pressing, such as on adewatering felt, for example, in some embodiments, by use of mechanicalpressure applied continuously over the web surface as in a nip between apress roll and a press shoe, wherein the web is in contact with apapermaking felt. The terminology “compactively dewatering” is used todistinguish from processes wherein the initial dewatering of the web iscarried out largely by thermal means, as is the case, for example, inU.S. Pat. No. 4,529,480 to Trokhan and U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,551 toFarrington et al. Compactively dewatering a web thus refers, forexample, to removing water from a nascent web having a consistency ofless than 30% or so by application of pressure thereto and/or increasingthe consistency of the web by about 15% or more by application ofpressure thereto, that is, increasing the consistency, for example, from30% to 45%.

Consistency refers to % solids of a nascent web, for example, calculatedon a bone dry basis. “Air dry” means including residual moisture, byconvention, up to about 10% moisture for pulp and up to about 6% forpaper. A nascent web having 50% water and 50% bone dry pulp has aconsistency of 50%.

Consolidated fibrous structures are those that have been so highlydensified that the fibers therein have been compressed to ribbon-likestructures and the void volume is reduced to levels approaching orperhaps even less than those found in flat papers, such as are used forcommunication purposes. In preferred structures, the fibers are sodensely packed and closely matted that the distance between adjacentfibers is typically less than the fiber width, often less than half oreven less than a quarter of the fiber width. In the most preferredstructures, the fibers are largely collinear and strongly biased in themachine direction (MD). The presence of consolidated fiber orconsolidated fibrous structures can be confirmed by examining thinsections that have been imbedded in resin, then, microtomed inaccordance with known techniques. Alternatively, if scanning electronmicroscope images (SEM's) of both faces of a region are so heavilymatted as to resemble flat paper, then that region can be considered tobe consolidated. Sections prepared by focused ion beam cross sectionpolishers, such as those offered by JEOL® USA, Inc., 11 Dearborn Road,Peabody, Mass., 01960, are especially suitable for observingdensification throughout the thickness of the sheet, to determinewhether regions in the tissue products of the present invention havebeen so highly densified as to become consolidated.

Creping belt and like terminology refers to a belt that bears aperforated pattern suitable for practicing the process of the presentinvention. In addition to perforations, the belt may have features, suchas raised portions and/or recesses between perforations, if so desired.Preferably, the perforations are tapered, which appears to facilitatetransfer of the web, especially, from the creping belt to a dryer, forexample. Typically, the face of the sheet contacting the web during thefabric creping step will have a greater open area than the face awayfrom the web. In some embodiments, the creping belt may includedecorative features, such as geometric designs, floral designs, and soforth, formed by rearrangement, deletion, and/or combination ofperforations having varying sizes and shapes.

“Domed”, “dome-like”, and so forth, as used in the description andclaims, generally refer to hollow, arched protuberances in the sheet ofthe class seen in the various Figures and is not limited to a specifictype of dome structure. The terminology refers to vaultedconfigurations, generally, whether symmetric or asymmetric about a planebisecting the domed area. Thus, “domed” generally refers to sphericaldomes, spheroidal domes, elliptical domes, ellipsoidal domes, ovaldomes, domes with polygonal bases and related structures, generallyincluding a cap and sidewalls, preferably, inwardly and upwardlyinclined, that is, the sidewalls being inclined toward the cap along atleast a portion of their length. Cross-sectional photomicrographs areshown of such domed structures in FIGS. 21 to 23.

FPM, Fpm and fpm refer to feet per minute, while fps refers to feet persecond.

MD means machine direction and CD means cross-machine direction.

When applicable, MD bending length (cm) of a product is determined inaccordance with American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) testmethod D 1388-96, cantilever option. Reported bending lengths refer toMD bending lengths, unless a CD bending length is expressly specified.The MD bending length test was performed with a Cantilever BendingTester available from Research Dimensions, 1720 Oakridge Road, Neenah,Wis., 54956, which is substantially the apparatus shown in the ASTM testmethod, item 6. The instrument is placed on a level, stable surface,horizontal position being confirmed by a built in leveling bubble. Thebend angle indicator is set at 41.5° below the level of the sampletable. This is accomplished by setting the knife edge appropriately. Thesample is cut with a one inch strip cutter available from Thwing-AlbertInstrument Company, 14 Collins Avenue, W. Berlin, N.J. 08091. Six (6)samples are cut: 1 inch×8 inch machine direction specimens. Samples areconditioned at 23° C.±1° C. (73.4° F.±1.8° F.) at 50% relative humidityfor at least two hours. For machine direction specimens, the longerdimension is parallel to the machine direction. The specimens should beflat, free of wrinkles, bends or tears. The Yankee-side of the specimensis also labeled. The specimen is placed on the horizontal platform ofthe tester, aligning the edge of the specimen with the right hand edge.The movable slide is placed on the specimen, being careful not to changeits initial position. The right edge of the sample and the movable slideshould be set at the right edge of the horizontal platform. The movableslide is displaced to the right in a smooth, slow manner, atapproximately 5 inch/minute until the specimen touches the knife edge.The overhang length is recorded to the nearest 0.1 cm. This is done byreading the left edge of the movable slide. Three specimens arepreferably run with the Yankee-side up and three specimens arepreferably run with the Yankee-side down, on the horizontal platform.The MD bending length is reported as the average overhang length incentimeters, divided by two to account for bending axis location.

Nip parameters include, without limitation, nip pressure, nip width,backing roll hardness, creping roll hardness, belt approach angle, belttakeaway angle, uniformity, nip penetration and velocity delta betweensurfaces of the nip.

Nip width (or length as the context indicates) means the MD length overwhich the nip surfaces are in contact.

PLI or pli means pounds force per linear inch. The process employed isdistinguished from other processes, in part, because belt creping iscarried out under pressure in a creping nip. Typically, rush transfersare carried out using suction to assist in detaching the web from thedonor fabric and, thereafter, attaching it to the receiving or receptorfabric. In contrast, suction is not required in a belt creping step, so,accordingly, when we refer to belt creping as being “under pressure,” weare referring to loading of the receptor belt against the transfersurface, although suction assist can be employed at the expense offurther complication of the system, as long as the amount of suction isnot sufficient to undesirably interfere with rearrangement orredistribution of the fiber.

Pusey and Jones (P&J) hardness (indentation) is measured in accordancewith ASTM D 531, and refers to the indentation number (standard specimenand conditions).

“Predominantly” means more than 50% of the specified component, byweight, unless otherwise indicated.

Roll compression is measured by compressing the roll 285 under a 1500 gflat platen 281 of a test apparatus 283 similar to that shown in FIGS.25 and 26. Sample rolls 285 are conditioned and tested in an atmosphereof 23.0°±1.0° C. (73.4°±1.8° F.). A suitable test apparatus 283 with amovable 1500 g platen 281 (referred to as a height gauge) is availablefrom:

-   -   Research Dimensions    -   1720 Oakridge Road    -   Neenah, Wis. 54956    -   920-722-2289    -   920-725-6874 (FAX).

The test procedure is generally as follows:

(a) Raise the platen 281 and position the roll 285 to be tested on itsside, centered under the platen, with the tail seal 287 to the front ofthe gauge 291 and the core 289 parallel to the back of the gauge 291.

(b) Slowly lower the platen 281 until it rests on the roll 285.

(c) Read the compressed roll diameter or sleeve height from the gaugepointer 293 to the nearest 0.01 inch (0.254 mm).

(d) Raise the platen 281 and remove the roll 285.

(e) Repeat for each roll or sleeve to be tested.

To calculate roll compression (RC) in percent, the following formula isused:

${{RC}(\%)} = {100 \times {\frac{( {{{initial}\mspace{14mu} {roll}\mspace{14mu} {diameter}} - {{compressed}\mspace{14mu} {roll}\mspace{14mu} {diameter}}} )}{{initial}\mspace{14mu} {roll}\mspace{14mu} {diameter}}.}}$

Dry tensile strengths (MD and CD), stretch, ratios thereof, modulus,break modulus, stress and strain are measured with a standard Instrontest device or other suitable elongation tensile tester, which may beconfigured in various ways, typically, using 3 inch or 1 inch widestrips of tissue or towel, conditioned in an atmosphere of 23°±1° C.(73.4°±1° F.) at 50% relative humidity for 2 hours. The tensile test isrun at a crosshead speed of 2 in/min. Break modulus is expressed ingrams/3 inches/% strain or its SI equivalent of g/mm/% strain. % strainis dimensionless and need not be specified. Unless otherwise indicated,values are break values. GM refers to the square root of the product ofthe MD and CD values for a particular product. Tensile energy absorption(TEA), which is defined as the area under the load/elongation(stress/strain) curve, is also measured during the procedure formeasuring tensile strength. Tensile energy absorption is related to theperceived strength of the product in use. Products having a higher TEAmay be perceived by users as being stronger than similar products thathave lower TEA values, even if the actual tensile strength of the twoproducts are the same. In fact, having a higher tensile energyabsorption may allow a product to be perceived as being stronger thanone with a lower TEA, even if the tensile strength of the high-TEAproduct is less than that of the product having the lower TEA. When theterm “normalized” is used in connection with a tensile strength, itsimply refers to the appropriate tensile strength from which the affectof basis weight has been removed by dividing that tensile strength bythe basis weight. In many cases, similar information is provided by theterm “breaking length”.

Tensile ratios are simply ratios of an MD value determined by way of theforegoing methods divided by the corresponding CD value. Unlessotherwise specified, a tensile property is a dry sheet property.

“Upper”, “upwardly” and like terminology is used purely for convenienceand refers to a position or direction toward the caps of the domestructures, that is, the belt side of the web, which is generallyopposite to the Yankee side, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise.

The wet tensile of the tissue of the present invention is measuredgenerally following Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry(TAPPI) Method T 576 pm 7, using a three-inch (76.2 mm) wide strip oftissue that is folded into a loop, clamped in a special fixture termed aFinch Cup, then immersed in water. A suitable Finch cup, 3-in., withbase to fit a 3-in. grip, is available from:

-   -   High-Tech Manufacturing Services, Inc.    -   3105-B NE 65^(th) Street    -   Vancouver, Wash. 98663    -   360-696-1611    -   360-696-9887 (FAX).

For fresh basesheet and finished product (aged 30 days or less for towelproduct, aged 24 hours or less for tissue product) containing wetstrength additive, the test specimens are placed in a forced air ovenheated to 105° C. (221° F.) for five minutes. No oven aging is neededfor other samples. The Finch cup is mounted onto a tensile testerequipped with a 2.0 pound load cell with the flange of the Finch cupclamped by the tester's lower jaw and the ends of tissue loop clampedinto the upper jaw of the tensile tester. The sample is immersed inwater that has been adjusted to a pH of 7.0±0.1 and the tensile istested after a 5 second immersion time using a crosshead speed of 2inches/minute. The results are expressed in g/3 in., dividing thereadout by two to account for the loop as appropriate.

A translating transfer surface refers to the surface from which the webis creped onto the creping belt. The translating transfer surface may bethe surface of a rotating drum as described hereafter, or may be thesurface of a continuous smooth moving belt or another moving fabric thatmay have surface texture, and so forth. The translating transfer surfaceneeds to support the web and to facilitate the high solids creping, aswill be appreciated from the discussion that follows.

Velocity delta means a difference in linear speed.

The void volume and/or void volume ratio, as referred to hereafter, aredetermined by saturating a sheet with a nonpolar POROFIL™ liquid,available from Coulter Electronics Ltd., Beckman Coulter, Inc., 250 S.Kraemer Boulevard, P.O. Box 8000, Brea, Calif. 92822-8000 USA, andmeasuring the amount of liquid absorbed. The volume of liquid absorbedis equivalent to the void volume within the sheet structure. The %weight increase (PWI) is expressed as grams of liquid absorbed per gramof fiber in the sheet structure, times one hundred (100), as notedhereafter. More specifically, for each single-ply sheet sample to betested, select 8 sheets and cut out a 1 inch by 1 inch square in themachine direction and 1 inch in the cross machine direction. Formulti-ply product samples, each ply is measured as a separate entity.Multiple samples should be separated into individual single plies and 8sheets from each ply position used for testing. Weigh and record the dryweight of each test specimen to the nearest 0.0001 gram. Place thespecimen in a dish containing POROFIL™ liquid having a specific gravityof about 1.93 grams per cubic centimeter, also available from CoulterElectronics Ltd., Beckman Coulter, Inc., Part No. 9902458. After 10seconds, grasp the specimen at the very edge (1-2 millimeters in) of onecorner with tweezers and remove from the liquid. Hold the specimen withthat corner uppermost and allow excess liquid to drip for 30 seconds.Lightly dab (less than ½ second contact) the lower corner of thespecimen on #4 filter paper (Whatman Ltd., Maidstone, England) in orderto remove any excess of the last partial drop. Immediately weigh thespecimen, within 10 seconds, recording the weight to the nearest 0.0001gram. The PWI for each specimen, expressed as grams of POROFIL™ liquidper gram of fiber, is calculated as follows:

${PWI} = {\frac{( {W_{2} - W_{1}} )}{W_{1}} \times 100}$

wherein

“W₁” is the dry weight of the specimen, in grams; and

“W₂” is the wet weight of the specimen, in grams.

The PWI for all eight individual specimens is determined as describedabove and the average of the eight specimens is the PWI for the sample.

The void volume ratio is calculated by dividing the PWI by 1.9 (densityof fluid) to express the ratio as a percentage, whereas the void volume(gms/gm or g/g) is simply the weight increase ratio; that is, PWIdivided by 100.

Water absorbency rate, or WAR, is measured in seconds and is the timethat it takes for a sample to absorb a 0.1 gram droplet of waterdisposed on its surface by way of an automated syringe. The testspecimens are preferably conditioned at 23° C.±1° C. (73.4±1.8° F.) at50% relative humidity for 2 hours. For each sample, 4 test specimens3″×3″ are prepared. Each specimen is placed in a sample holder such thata high intensity lamp is directed toward the specimen. 0.1 ml of wateris deposited on the specimen surface and a stop watch is started. Whenthe water is absorbed, as indicated by a lack of further reflection oflight from the drop, the stopwatch is stopped and the time recorded tothe nearest 0.1 seconds. The procedure is repeated for each specimen andthe results averaged for the sample. WAR is measured in accordance withTAPPI method T 432 cm-99.

Dry Lint Test

To quantify the amount of lint removed from towel, tissue and relatedproducts when used dry, a Sutherland Rub Tester with 4.0-lb rub block isused. This apparatus is available from Danilee Company, 27223 StarryMountain Street, San Antonio, Tex. 78260, 830-438-7737; 800-438-7738(FAX). The 4.0-lb rub block for the Rub Tester has dimensions of 2″ by4″ so that the pressure exerted during testing is 0.5 psi.

After the samples to be evaluated are preconditioned at 10 to 35% RH at22° to 40° C. for 24 hours, then conditioned at 50.0%±2.0% RH and23.0±1.0° C. for 2 hours, all of the subsequent procedures are performedwithin the confines of a room maintained at between 48 to 53% RH and atemperature of between 22° C. and 24° C.

Two stacks of four 2.25-in.×4.5-in. test strips with 4.5-in length inthe machine direction are cut from the sample with the top (exterior ofroll) side up.

Two 2.5-in.×6-in. strips of black felt are cut with the 6-in. length inthe machine direction, and the top side labeled with sample ID numbers.

A baseline reading for the felt is determined by taking one L* lightnesscolor reading on the labeled side of each black felt strip used fortesting in the middle of what will be the rubbed area using aGretagMacbeth® Ci5 spectrophotometer using the following settings on thespectrophotometer: Large area view; Specular component excluded; UVSource C; 2 degree observer; and Illuminant C. The GretagMacbeth®spectrophotometer Model Ci5 is available from: GretagMacbeth; 617 LittleBritain Road, New Windsor, N.Y. 12553; 914-565-7660; 914-565-0390 (FAX);www.gretagmacbeth.com. The “before testing” reading is later compared tothe “after testing” reading in the same area of the black felt strip onthe same side, so particular care is taken to be sure that comparisonsare made only between the same felt strips. “L*” as used in thisconnection relates to CIE 1976, also known as CIELAB measurement oflightness and should not be confused with Hunter lightness, typicallydenominated “L”. In this connection, the asterisk “*” is not a referencemark directing the reader to some other location in this document, but aportion of the commonly used symbol for CIE 1976 lightness “L*”.

To evaluate a specimen, the specimen is taped to the galvanized plate onthe Sutherland Rub Tester with the top side up, so that rubbing will bein the machine direction with care being observed to ensure that eachspecimen is taped in the same rub area each time the test is performed.The first black felt specimen is taped, labeled side out, to the bottomof the 4.0-lb rub block of the Sutherland Rub Tester, the number ofstrokes on the rub tester is set to four, and the slow speed selected(#2 setting for 4 speed model or #1 setting for 2 speed model), the rubblock is placed on the Sutherland Rub Tester carriage arm and the“Start” button pressed to start testing. After the four strokes arecompleted, the rub block is removed from the tester and the black feltis removed from the bottom of the rub block with the black felt beingpreserved for L* “after testing” color reading. The specimen is removedfrom the galvanized plate and discarded.

One L* color reading is taken on the labeled side of each black feltstrip, reading the same spot used to obtain the “before testing” value,in the middle of the rubbed area. The “after testing” reading is pairedup with the appropriate “before testing” reading to calculate adifference between the readings—“ΔL*”.

For each sample, the average, standard deviation, minimum and maximumtest results are recorded as measured to the nearest 0.01 L* unit forboth the before testing and after testing values. The difference valueof the after reading minus the before reading is indicative of the lintremoval by the standardized dry rubbing procedure.

Wet Abrasion Lint Test

To evaluate a tissue sample for lint removal by wet abrasion, the sampleis first subjected to simulated wet use against a sample of standardblack felt with a Crockmeter Rub Tester, modified as described herein.Then, the area in mm² of the lint left on the felt is measured with anEpson, Perfection 4490 flat bed Scanner and Apogee, SpecScan Software,version 2.3.36.

The Crockmeter Rub available from SDL Atlas, LLC, 3934 Airway Drive,Rock Hill, S.C. 29732; (803) 329-2110. To be used to measure wet lint asdescribed herein, the Crockmeter is modified to accept a 360 gram armand a 1″×2″ foot that exerts a pressure on the specimen of 0.435 psi.The weight of the rub block is 355 g for the weighted arm supported onone end, and 36 g for the rub foot. These weights are exerted on a 1″×2″area, for a pressure of 391 g/12.9 cm²=30.3 g/cm². In contrast, themethod of evaluating wet abrasion in the Bhat et al. and Luu patentsreferenced herein used a 135 g sled placed on a 2″×3″ sample for apressure of 135 g/38.7 cm²=3.5 g/cm².

Research Dimensions at 1720 Oakridge Road, Neenah, Wis. 54956,920-722-2289, will modify Crockmeter Rub Testers to conform hereto

Suitable black felt is 3/16-inch thick, part #113308F-24 available fromAetna Felt Corporation, 2401 W. Emaus Avenue, Allentown, Pa. 18103;800-526-4451.

To test a sample, the outer three layers of tissue are removed from theroll. Three sheets of tissue are cut at the perforations and placed in astack using a paper cutter ensuring that the tissue sheets are placed inthe same orientation relative to the direction and the side of the roll.From the stack, samples that are 2-inches by 2.5-inches are cut with thelong dimension being the machine direction. Enough samples are cut for 4replicates. The short (2″) side of the tissue is marked with a small dotto indicate the surface of the tissue that was outwardly facing when onthe roll. The foot is mounted to the arm of the Crockmeter with theshort dimension parallel to the stroke of the Crockmeter and the strokedistance set at 4″±⅛ inch, and the stroke speed is set to strokes perminute. The black felt is cut into 3-inch by 6-inch pieces with theinside surface being marked along the short edge. In this test, thetissue sample to be tested will be rubbed against the inside of the feltstarting at the mark. A 12-inch by 12-inch sheet of black acrylic, a2-inch by 3-inch glass slide marked as shown in FIG. 20, tape, a pipetteand a beaker of distilled water are located on any nearby convenientflat surface The Crockmeter is turned on, then turned off, to positionthe arm at its furthest back position. The spacer is placed under thearm to hold it above the rubbing surface. A clean piece of black felt istaped to the base of the Crockmeter over the rubbing surface with themarked surface oriented upward, with the marked end up adjacent to thebeginning point of the stroke of the foot. A sample is taped along oneshorter edge to the foot with the top side of the tissue facing up, andthe length of the tissue is wrapped around the foot and attached to thearm of the Crockmeter with the taped side and the marked location on thetissue sample facing the operator at the forward portion of theCrockmeter. The type of tape used is not critical. Office tape commonlyreferred to as cellophane tape or sold under the trademark “Scotch®Tape” is suitable. The spacer is removed from under the arm, and the armwith the attached foot is set down on the black felt with the longdimension of the foot perpendicular to the rub direction, and the footis fixed in place. The glass microscope slide is placed on the feltforward of the foot and 3 volumes of 200 μL of distilled water each aredispensed from the pipette onto the cross-marks on the glass slide. Thesample, foot and arm are gently lifted, the glass slide is placed underthe sample and the sample is lowered to allow the water to wet thesample for 5 seconds, after which time the arm is lifted, the glassslide removed and the Crockmeter activated to allow the sample to makethree forward strokes on the felt with the arm being lifted manually atthe beginning of each return stroke to prevent the sample fromcontacting the felt during the return strokes. After three forwardstrokes, the Crockmeter is inactivated and the spacer placed under thearm so that the black felt can be removed without disturbing the abradedlint thereupon. Three minutes after the felt is removed from the rubbingsurface, it is scanned in a flat bed scanner using Apogee SpecScanSoftware with the software being set for “lint” in the “ScannerSettings” window, with “5” being set in the “Process Groups of:” windowon the “Defaults panel”, the “Resolution” being set at “600 dots/inch”,the “Scanner Mode” being set to “256-Grayscale”, the “Area Setting”being set to “Special”, the “Scan Image” being set to “Reverse Image”,the “Upper Limit” window on the “Dirt Histogram” panel being set to“>=5.000” the “Lower Limit” window of that panel being set to“0.013-0.020” and the “X Scale:” window being set to “25”; and the “PPM”window of the “Bad Handsheet” panel set to “2500.0”. On the “PrintoutSettings:” panel, the “Gray-Summary”, “Sheet Summary” and “GrayHistogram” boxes are checked, the “Copies” window is set to “1”, whilethe “Dirt Histogram”, “Categories” and “XY Location boxes on that panelare unchecked. Both the “Enable Display” and “Enable Zoom” boxes arechecked on the Display Mode panel. On the “Scanner Setup” panel, the“White” box is set for “255” while the “Black” box is set for “0”, the“Contrast Filter” box is set for “0.000”, the upper “Threshold=” box isset for 80.0 [% percent of background plus] while the lower “Threshold=”box is set for “0.0” [grayscale value]. The “Percent of Background, plusoffset” box on the “Scanner Setup” panel is checked while the “ManualThreshold Setting” and “Function of StdDev of Background” boxes areunchecked. If desired the “Grade Identification:” and “Reel/LoadNumber:” boxes may be used to record indicia related to theidentification of the samples being tested. On the “Special AreaDefinition” panel, “Inches” is checked in the “Dimensions:” region while“Rectangular” is checked in the “Shape:” region. In the “Border at topand left:” region, “0.15” [in.] is entered in the “At the left side:(X)” box and “0.625” [in.] is entered in the “At the top: (Y)” box. Inthe “Area to scan:” regions “2.7” [in.] is entered in the “Width (X)”box and “5.2” [in.] is entered in the “Height (Y)” box. After scanning,the area in mm² of the abraded lint left on the black felt is output inthe “SHEETS” Table in the “Total Area” column under the “SampleSheet(s)” heading on the “Sheet & Category Summary” screen. This resultis sometimes referred to herein as “WALA” for Wet Abraded Lint Area,which is reported in mm².

In other cases, the fiber removed will be washed off and the solutionsubjected to testing in an Optest Fiber Quality Analyzer to determinethe number of fibers that are removed having a length in excess of 40μm. The Optest Fiber Quality Analyzer has become a standard in the paperindustry for determining fiber length distributions and fiber countsabove a certain minimal length, (currently, at about 40 μm), which keepsdecreasing as Optest continually upgrades their technique. The OptestFiber Quality Analyzer is available from:

-   -   OpTest Equipment Inc.    -   900 Tupper SI.—Hawkesbury—ON—K6A 3S3—Canada    -   Phone: 613-632-5169; Fax: 613-632-3744.

Dispersibility Test

To determine how well bathroom tissue disintegrates in water undercontrolled agitation using a standard water solution, a sample of tissueis placed in a bottle of specified dimensions in a standardized watersolution and subjected to controlled agitation using a standardizedshaker that shakes the bottle for a preset number of shakes at 180±5strokes per minute. One stroke is a complete cycle of back and forth.The bottle is then drained in a fixture adapted to hold the bottle withits centerline perpendicular. See FIGS. 1 and 2. More specifically, thetest is conducted as follows.

The standardized bottle shaker 50 and bottle guide fixture 52 areavailable from Research Dimensions, 1720 Oakridge Road, Neenah, Wis.54956, (920) 722-2289; FAX (920) 725-6874. A small mouth ( 11/16-inchdiameter orifice) plastic bottle 54 with cap, 250 ml, is catalog number02-924-6D, available from Fisher Scientific Company. The Standard WaterSolution, catalog number NC9664362, is available from Fisher ScientificCompany, 800-766-7000.

Remove and discard the first three layers of tissue from a roll oftissue. (The tissue sample to be tested may be taken from anywhere inthe roll except for the three outer wraps and the last 20 sheets fromthe core.) If the tissue samples and/or base sheet samples are less than24 hours old, they are to be oven cured for 5 minutes at 105° C.

For testing of a finished product: six 3-sheet strips are cut from theroll. If the product being tested is a multi-ply product, the plies arenot separated from each other, but are tested still plied together.

For testing of a base sheet, specimens are to be cut equivalent to thelength and width of the finished product for which they are intended.Three specimens are cut for one-ply product, six specimens are cut fortwo-ply product, and nine specimens are cut for three-ply product.

180±5 ml of standard water at 23° C. (73° F.) is transferred to thebottle 54.

Shaker 50 is set for an appropriate number of strokes. In the case offinished product testing, the three-sheet strip of tissue is folded inhalf, rolled up and inserted into the plastic bottle 54, which is thencapped. In the case of a base sheet, the specimen is folded in half andone strip of tissue is rolled up when the intended finished product is1-ply, two strips of tissue for 2-ply finished product, and 3 strips oftissue for 3-ply finished product. The roll is inserted into the plasticbottle 54, which is then capped.

Bottle 54 is placed in shaker 50 (FIG. 1) with bottom 51 toward thedrive arm 58, and motor 60 started.

After shaker 50 has shaken bottle 54 for the set number of strokes, thecontents are immediately checked for disintegration by inverting bottle54 and placing it into bottle guide fixture 52 (FIG. 2) in one quickmotion to see if the contents will pour out into a beaker. In order forthe specimen to pass the test for that number of shakes, the entirecontents of bottle 54 must empty within eight seconds without shaking orsqueezing bottle 54. The test is replicated and a “pass” is recordedonly if both specimens pass.

Regenerated Cellulose Microfiber

In accordance with the invention, regenerated cellulose fiber isprepared from a cellulosic dope comprising cellulose dissolved in asolvent comprising tertiary amine N-oxides or ionic liquids. The solventcomposition for dissolving cellulose and preparing underivatizedcellulose dopes suitably includes tertiary amine oxides such asN-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO) and similar compounds enumerated inU.S. Pat. No. 4,246,221 to McCorsley, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference. Cellulose dopes may containnon-solvents for cellulose, such as water, alkanols or other solvents,as will be appreciated from the discussion that follows.

Suitable cellulosic dopes are enumerated in Table 1, below.

TABLE 1 EXAMPLES OF TERTIARY AMINE N-OXIDE SOLVENTS Tertiary AmineN-oxide % water % cellulose N-methylmorpholine up to 22 up to 38 N-oxideN,N-dimethyl-ethanol-amine N-oxide   up to 12.5 up to 31N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine N-oxide up to 21 up to 44N-methylhomopiperidine N-oxide 5.5-20   1-22 N,N,N-triethylamine 7-295-15 N-oxide 2(2-hydroxypropoxy)- 5-10  2-7.5N-ethyl-N,N,-dimethyl-amide N-oxide N-methylpiperidine   up to 17.5  5-17.5 N-oxide N,N-dimethylbenzylamine 5.5-17   1-20 N-oxide

See, also U.S. Pat. No. 3,508,941 to Johnson, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

Details with respect to preparation of cellulosic dopes includingcellulose dissolved in suitable ionic liquids and cellulose regenerationtherefrom are found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/256,521, U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0157351 of Swatloski et al., nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,824,599, entitled “Dissolution and Processing ofCellulose Using Ionic Liquids”, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference. Here, again, suitable levels of non-solvents forcellulose may be included. There is generally described in this patentapplication a process for dissolving cellulose in an ionic liquidwithout derivatization and regenerating the cellulose in a range ofstructural forms. It is reported that the cellulose solubility and thesolution properties can be controlled by the selection of ionic liquidconstituents with small cations and halide or pseudohalide anionsfavoring solution. Preferred ionic liquids for dissolving celluloseinclude those with cyclic cations, such as the following cations:imidazolium, pyridinum, pyridazinium, pyrimidinium, pyrazinium,pyrazolium, oxazolium, 1,2,3-triazolium, 1,2,4-triazolium, thiazolium,piperidinium, pyrrolidinium, quinolinium, and isoquinolinium.

Processing techniques for ionic liquids/cellulose dopes are alsodiscussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,808,557 to Holbrey et al., entitled“Cellulose Matrix Encapsulation and Method”, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference. Note also, U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2005/0288484, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,888,412, of Holbrey etal., entitled “Polymer Dissolution and Blend Formation in IonicLiquids”, as well as U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2004/0038031, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,808,557, also of Holbrey et al.,entitled “Cellulose Matrix Encapsulation and Method”, the disclosures ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference. With respect to ionicfluids, in general, the following documents provide further detail: U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0241287, now U.S. Pat. No.7,763,715, of Hecht et al., entitled “Extracting Biopolymers From aBiomass Using Ionic Liquids”; U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2006/0240727, of Price et al., entitled “Ionic Liquid Based Products andMethod of Using The Same”; U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2006/0240728, of Price et al., entitled “Ionic Liquid Based Products andMethod of Using the Same”; U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2006/0090271, of Price et al., entitled “Processes For ModifyingTextiles Using Ionic Liquids”; and Patent Application Publication No.2006/0207722, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,318,859, of Amano et al., entitled“Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Compositions, Pressure Sensitive AdhesiveSheets and Surface Protecting Films,” the disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference. Some ionic liquids and quasi-ionicliquids that may be suitable are disclosed by Imperato et al., Chem.Commun. 2005, 1170-1172, the disclosure of which is incorporated hereinby reference.

“Ionic liquid” refers to a molten composition that includes an ioniccompound that is preferably a stable liquid at temperatures of less than100° C. at ambient pressure. Typically, such liquids have a very lowvapor pressure at 100° C., less than 75 mBar or so and, preferably, lessthan 50 mBar or less than 25 mBar at 100° C. Most suitable liquids willhave a vapor pressure of less than 10 mBar at 100° C. and often, thevapor pressure is so low that it is negligible and is not easilymeasurable, since it is less than 1 mBar at 100° C.

Suitable commercially available ionic liquids are Basionic™ ionic liquidproducts available from BASF (Florham Park, N.J.).

Cellulose dopes including ionic liquids having dissolved therein about5% by weight underivatized cellulose are commercially available fromSigma-Aldrich Corp., St. Louis, Mo. (Aldrich). These compositionsutilize alkyl-methylimidazolium acetate as the solvent. It has beenfound that chorine-based ionic liquids are not particularly suitable fordissolving cellulose.

After the cellulosic dope is prepared, it is spun into fiber,fibrillated and incorporated into absorbent sheet as described later.

A synthetic cellulose, such as lyocell, is split into micro- andnano-fibers and added to conventional wood pulp. The fiber may befibrillated in an unloaded disk refiner, for example, or any othersuitable technique including using a Pulmac-Fiber (PFI) mill.Preferably, relatively short fiber is used and the consistency kept lowduring fibrillation. The beneficial features of fibrillated lyocellinclude, for example, biodegradability, hydrogen bonding,dispersibility, repulpability, and smaller microfibers than obtainablewith meltspun fibers.

Fibrillated lyocell or its equivalent has advantages over splittablemeltspun fibers. Synthetic microdenier fibers come in a variety offorms. For example, a 3 denier nylon/PET fiber in a so-called pie wedgeconfiguration can be split into 16 or 32 segments, typically, in ahydroentangling process. Each segment of a 16-segment fiber would have acoarseness of about 2 mg/100 m versus eucalyptus pulp at about 7 mg/100m. Unfortunately, a number of deficiencies have been identified withthis approach for conventional wet laid applications. Dispersibility isless than optimal. Melt spun fibers must be split before sheetformation, and an efficient method is lacking. Most available polymersfor these fibers are not biodegradable. The coarseness is lower thanthat of wood pulp, but still high enough that they must be used insubstantial amounts and form a costly part of the furnish. Finally, thelack of hydrogen bonding requires other methods of retaining the fibersin the sheet.

Fibrillated lyocell has fibrils that can be as small as 0.1 to 0.25microns (μm) in diameter, translating to a coarseness of 0.0013 to0.0079 mg/100 m. Assuming these fibrils are available as individualstrands—separate from the parent fiber—the furnish fiber population canbe dramatically increased at various addition rates. Even fibrils notseparated from the parent fiber may provide benefit. It is greatlypreferred, however, that the fibrils be independent of the parent fiberfrom which they are split off. Dispersibility, repulpability, hydrogenbonding, and biodegradability remain product attributes, since thefibrils are cellulose.

Fibrils from lyocell fiber have important distinctions from wood pulpfibrils. The most important distinction is the length of the lyocellfibrils. Wood pulp fibrils are only perhaps microns long, and,therefore, act in the immediate area of a fiber-fiber bond. Wood pulpfibrillation from refining leads to stronger, denser sheets. Lyocellfibrils, however, are potentially as long as the parent fibers. Thesefibrils can act as independent fibers and improve the bulk whilemaintaining or improving strength. Southern pine and mixed southernhardwood (MSHW) are two examples of fibers that are disadvantagedrelative to premium pulps with respect to softness. The term “premiumpulps” used herein refers to northern softwoods and eucalyptus pulpscommonly used in the tissue industry for producing the softest bath,facial, and towel grades. Southern pine is coarser than northernsoftwood kraft, and mixed southern hardwood is both coarser and higherin fines than market eucalyptus. The lower coarseness and lower finescontent of premium market pulp leads to a higher fiber population,expressed as fibers per gram (N or N_(i>0.2)) in Table 3. The coarsenessand length values in Table 2 were obtained with an OpTest Fiber QualityAnalyzer. Definitions are as follows:

$L_{n} = {{\frac{\sum\limits_{{all}\mspace{14mu} {fibers}}\; {n_{i}L_{i}}}{\sum\limits_{{all}\mspace{14mu} {fibers}}\; n_{i}}\mspace{14mu} L_{n,{i > 0.2}}} = {{\frac{\sum\limits_{i > 0.2}\; {n_{i}L_{i}}}{\sum\limits_{i > 0.2}\; n_{i}}\mspace{14mu} C} = {10^{5} \times \frac{sampleweight}{\sum\limits_{{all}\mspace{14mu} {fibers}}\; {n_{i}L_{i}}}}}}$$N = {{\frac{100}{CL}\lbrack = \rbrack}\mspace{11mu} {{millionfibers}/{gram}}}$

Northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK) and eucalyptus have more fibersper gram than do southern pine and hardwood. Lower coarseness leads tohigher fiber populations and smoother sheets.

TABLE 2 Fiber Properties C, L_(n,) N, N_(i>0.2 mm) Sample Type mg/100 mFines, % mm. MM/g L_(n,i>0.2 mm) MM/g Southern HW Pulp 10.1 21 0.28 350.91 11 Southern HW - low Pulp 10.1 7 0.54 18 0.94 11 Aracruz EucalyptusPulp 6.9 5 0.50 29 0.72 20 Southern SW Pulp 18.7 9 0.60 9 1.57 3Northern SW Pulp 14.2 3 1.24 6 1.74 4 Southern (30 SW/70 Base 11.0 180.31 29 0.93 10 30 Southern SW/70 Base 8.3 7 0.47 26 0.77 16

For comparison, the “parent” or “stock” fibers of unfibrillated lyocellhave a coarseness of 16.6 mg/100 m before fibrillation and a diameter ofabout 11 to about 12 μm.

The fibrils of fibrillated lyocell have a coarseness on the order of0.001 to 0.008 mg/100 m. Thus, the fiber population can be dramaticallyincreased at relatively low addition rates. Fiber length of the parentfiber is selectable, and fiber length of the fibrils can depend on thestarting length and the degree of cutting during the fibrillationprocess.

The dimensions of the fibers passing the 200 mesh screen are on theorder of 0.2 micron by 100 micron long. Using these dimensions, onecalculates a fiber population of 200 billion fibers per gram. Forperspective, southern pine might be three million fibers per gram andeucalyptus might be twenty million fibers per gram. (See Table 2.) Itappears that these fibers are the fibrils that are broken away from theoriginal unrefined fibers. Different fiber shapes with lyocell intendedto readily fibrillate could result in 0.2 micron diameter fibers thatare perhaps 1000 microns or more long instead of 100. As noted above,fibrillated fibers of regenerated cellulose may be made by producing“stock” fibers having a diameter of 10-12 microns or so followed byfibrillating the parent fibers. Alternatively, fibrillated lyocellmicrofibers have recently become available from Engineered FibersTechnology (Shelton, Conn.) having suitable properties. Particularlypreferred materials are more than 40% fiber that is finer than 14 meshand exhibit a very low coarseness (low freeness). For ready reference,mesh sizes appear in Table 3, below. The current limitations on minimumlength detectable by the OpTest make it difficult to precisely ascertainthe fiber length distribution of the very short fibrils. It does appear,however, that these are quite important in providing the improved sheetproperties of the tissues of the present invention.

TABLE 3 Mesh Size Sieve Mesh # Inches Microns 14 .0555 1400 28 .028 70060 .0098 250 100 .0059 150 200 .0029 74

Details as to fractionation using the Bauer-McNett Classifier appear inGooding et al., “Fractionation in a Bauer-McNett Classifier”, Journal ofPulp and Paper Science; Vol. 27, No. 12, December 2001, the disclosureof which is incorporated herein by reference.

In connection with the present invention, an absorbent paper web is madeby dispersing papermaking fibers into an aqueous furnish (slurry) anddepositing the aqueous furnish onto the forming wire of a papermakingmachine. Any suitable forming scheme might be used. For example, anextensive, but non-exhaustive, list in addition to Fourdrinier formers,includes a crescent former, a C-wrap twin wire former, an S-wrap twinwire former, or a suction breast roll former. The forming fabric can beany suitable foraminous member including single layer fabrics, doublelayer fabrics, triple layer fabrics, photopolymer fabrics, and the like.Non-exhaustive background art in the forming fabric area includes U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,157,276; 4,605,585; 4,161,195; 3,545,705; 3,549,742;3,858,623; 4,041,989; 4,071,050; 4,112,982; 4,149,571; 4,182,381;4,184,519; 4,314,589; 4,359,069; 4,376,455; 4,379,735; 4,453,573;4,564,052; 4,592,395; 4,611,639; 4,640,741; 4,709,732; 4,759,391;4,759,976; 4,942,077; 4,967,085; 4,998,568; 5,016,678; 5,054,525;5,066,532; 5,098,519; 5,103,874; 5,114,777; 5,167,261; 5,199,261;5,199,467; 5,211,815; 5,219,004; 5,245,025; 5,277,761; 5,328,565; and5,379,808, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties. One forming fabric particularly useful with the presentinvention is Voith Fabrics Forming Fabric 2164 made by Voith FabricsCorporation, Shreveport, La.

Foam-forming of the aqueous furnish on a forming wire or fabric may beemployed as a means to form sheets comprising fibers that are somewhatdifficult to disperse in conventional aqueous furnishes. Foam formingmay be especially advantageous if formation issues are encountered.Foam-forming techniques are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,500,302;6,413,368; 4,543,156 and Canadian Patent No. 2,053,505, the disclosuresof which are incorporated herein by reference. The foamed fiber furnishis made up from an aqueous slurry of fibers mixed with a foamed liquidcarrier just prior to its introduction to the headbox. The pulp slurrysupplied to the system has a consistency in the range of from about 0.5to about 7 weight % fibers, preferably, in the range of from about 2.5to about 4.5 weight %. The pulp slurry is added to a foamed liquidcomprising water, air and surfactant containing 50 to 80% air by volume,forming a foamed fiber furnish having a consistency in the range of fromabout 0.1 to about 3 weight % fiber by simple mixing from naturalturbulence and mixing inherent in the process elements. The addition ofthe pulp as a low consistency slurry results in excess foamed liquidrecovered from the forming wires. The excess foamed liquid is dischargedfrom the system and may be used elsewhere or treated for recovery ofsurfactant therefrom.

The furnish will almost always contain chemical additives to alter thephysical properties of the paper produced. These chemistries are wellunderstood by the skilled artisan and may be used in any knowncombination. Such additives may be surface modifiers, softeners,debonders, strength aids, latexes, opacifiers, optical brighteners,dyes, pigments, sizing agents, barrier chemicals, retention aids,insolubilizers, organic or inorganic crosslinkers, or combinationsthereof, the chemicals optionally comprising polyols, starches, PPGesters, PEG esters, phospholipids, surfactants, polyamines, HMCP(Hydrophobically Modified Cationic Polymers), HMAP (HydrophobicallyModified Anionic Polymers), or the like.

The pulp can be mixed with strength adjusting agents such as wetstrength agents, dry strength agents, debonders/softeners, and so forth.Suitable wet strength agents are known to the skilled artisan. Acomprehensive, but non-exhaustive, list of useful strength aids includesurea-formaldehyde resins, melamine formaldehyde resins, glyoxylatedpolyacrylamide resins, polyamide-epichlorohydrin resins, and the like.Thermosetting polyacrylamides are produced by reacting acrylamide withdiallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DADMAC) to produce a cationicpolyacrylamide copolymer that is ultimately reacted with glyoxal toproduce a cationic cross-linking wet strength resin, glyoxylatedpolyacrylamide. These materials are generally described in U.S. Pat. No.3,556,932 to Coscia et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 3,556,933 to Williams etal., both of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties. Resins of this type are commercially available under thetrade name of PAREZ 631NC by Bayer Corporation (Pittsburgh, Pa.).Different mole ratios of acrylamide/-DADMAC/glyoxal can be used toproduce cross-linking resins, which are useful as wet strength agents.Furthermore, other dialdehydes can be substituted for glyoxal to producethermosetting wet strength characteristics. Of particular utility arethe polyamide-epichlorohydrin wet strength resins, an example of whichis sold under the trade names Kymene 557LX and Kymene 557H by HerculesIncorporated of Wilmington, Del., and Amres® from Georgia-PacificResins, Inc. These resins and the process for making the resins aredescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,700,623 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,772,076, eachof which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Anextensive description of polymeric epihalohydrin resins is given in“Chapter 2: Alkaline-Curing Polymeric Amine-Epichlorohydrin” by Espy inWet Strength Resins and Their Application (L. Chan, Editor, 1994),herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. A reasonablycomprehensive list of wet strength resins is described by Westfelt inCellulose Chemistry and Technology, volume 13, page 813, 1979, which isalso incorporated herein by reference.

Suitable temporary wet strength agents for use in the practice of thepresent invention include aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes, includingglyoxal, malonic dialdehyde, succinic dialdehyde, glutaraldehyde anddialdehyde starches, as well as substituted or reacted starches,disaccharides, polysaccharides, chitosan, or other reacted polymericreaction products of monomers or polymers having aldehyde groups, andoptionally, nitrogen groups. Representative nitrogen containingpolymers, which can suitably be reacted with the aldehyde containingmonomers or polymers, includes vinyl-amides, acrylamides and relatednitrogen containing polymers. These polymers impart a positive charge tothe aldehyde containing reaction product. In addition, othercommercially available temporary wet strength agents, such as, PAREZFJ98, a low molecular weight slightly cationic glyoxalatedpolyacrylamide manufactured by Kemira (Atlanta, Ga.), can be used, alongwith those disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,605,702.

The temporary wet strength resin may be any one of a variety ofwater-soluble organic polymers comprising aldehydic units and cationicunits used to increase dry and wet tensile strength of a paper product.Such resins are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,675,394; 5,240,562;5,138,002; 5,085,736; 4,981,557; 5,008,344; 4,603,176; 4,983,748;4,866,151; 4,804,769 and 5,217,576, the disclosures of which areincorporated herein in their entireties. Modified starches sold underthe trademarks CO-BOND® 1000 and CO-BOND® 1000 Plus, by National Starchand Chemical Company of Bridgewater, N.J., may be used. Prior to use,the cationic aldehydic water soluble polymer can be prepared bypreheating an aqueous slurry of approximately 5% solids, maintained at atemperature of approximately 240° F. and a pH of about 2.7 forapproximately 3.5 minutes. Finally, the slurry can be quenched anddiluted by adding water to produce a mixture of approximately 1.0%solids at less than about 130° F.

Other temporary wet strength agents, also available from National Starchand Chemical Company are sold under the trademarks CO-BOND® 1600 andCO-BOND® 2300. These starches are supplied as aqueous colloidaldispersions and do not require preheating prior to use.

To the extent that dry strength agents are added, suitable dry strengthagents include starch, guar gum, polyacrylamides, carboxymethylcellulose, and the like. Of particular utility is carboxymethylcellulose, an example of which is sold under the trade name Hercules®CMC, by Hercules Incorporated of Wilmington, Del.

Suitable debonders are likewise known to the skilled artisan. Debondersor softeners may also be incorporated into the pulp or sprayed upon theweb after its formation. The present invention may also be used withsoftener materials including, but not limited to, the class of amidoamine salts derived from partially neutralized amines. Such materialsare disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,720,383. Evans, Chemistry and Industry,5 Jul. 1969, pages 893-903; Egan, J. Am. Oil Chemist's Soc., Vol. 55(1978), pages 118-121; and Trivedi et al., J. Am. Oil Chemist's Soc.,June 1981, pages 754-756, incorporated by reference in their entireties,indicate that softeners are often available commercially only as complexmixtures rather than as single compounds. While the following discussionwill focus on the predominant species, it should be understood thatcommercially available mixtures would generally be used in practice.

Hercules® TQ 218 or equivalent is a suitable softener material, whichmay be derived by alkylating a condensation product of oleic acid anddiethylenetriamine. Synthesis conditions using a deficiency ofalkylation agent (e.g., diethyl sulfate) and only one alkylating step,followed by pH adjustment to protonate the non-ethylated species, resultin a mixture consisting of cationic ethylated and cationic non-ethylatedspecies. A minor proportion (e.g., about 10%) of the resulting amidoamine cyclize to imidazoline compounds. Since only the imidazolineportions of these materials are quaternary ammonium compounds, thecompositions as a whole are pH-sensitive. Therefore, in the practice ofthe present invention with this class of chemicals, the pH in the headbox should be approximately 6 to 8, more preferably, from about 6 toabout 7 and, most preferably, from about 6.5 to about 7.

Quaternary ammonium compounds, such as dialkyl dimethyl quaternaryammonium salts, are also suitable, particularly, when the alkyl groupscontain from about 10 to 24 carbon atoms. These compounds have theadvantage of being relatively insensitive to pH.

Biodegradable softeners can be utilized. Representative biodegradablecationic softeners/debonders are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,312,522;5,415,737; 5,262,007; 5,264,082; and 5,223,096, all of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Biodegradableester quats are suitable. These softeners are biodegradable by virtue ofhydrolyzable ester linkages and are usually made by esterifying ethanolamines (i.e., di- and tri-ethanolamines) with a fatty acid followed byquaternization with dimethyl sulfate, or, more popularly, because ofsafety, diethyl sulfate. A methylated example of such an ester quat hasthe following structural formula:

wherein R can conveniently be either an oleyl group,CH₂(CH₂)₆CH═CH(CH₂)₇CH₃, or an erucyl group, CH₂(CH₂)₁₀CH═CH(CH₂)₇CH₃,as these can be derived from oleic and erucic acids. In someembodiments, a particularly preferred debonder composition includes aquaternary amine component as well as a nonionic surfactant.

The nascent web may be compactively dewatered on a papermaking felt. Anysuitable felt may be used. For example, felts can have double-layer baseweaves, triple-layer base weaves, or laminated base weaves. Preferredfelts are those having a laminated base weave design. A wet-press-feltthat may be particularly useful with the present invention is Vector 3made by Voith Fabric (Appleton, Wis.). Background art in the press feltarea includes U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,657,797; 5,368,696; 4,973,512; 5,023,132;5,225,269; 5,182,164; 5,372,876; and 5,618,612. A differential pressingfelt as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,533,437 to Curran et al. maylikewise be utilized.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The products of this invention are advantageously produced in accordancewith the teachings of U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2010/0186913, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,293,072, “Belt-Creped, Variable LocalBasis Weight Absorbent Sheet Prepared With Perforated Polymeric Belt”,wherein, after dewatering, a wet-laid, compactively dewatered web isbelt creped at a consistency of from 30-60% as described therein. Forpurposes of this invention, the creping belt employed is a perforatedpolymer belt of the class shown in FIGS. 3, 10 and 11. Other suitablebelts are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2010/0186913, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,293,072. Belts having a staggeredinterpenetrating array of perforations as shown in FIGS. 29G and 41 ofU.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0186913 are particularlypreferred.

FIG. 3 is a plan view photograph of a portion of a first polymer belt150 having an upper surface 152 that is generally planar and a pluralityof tapered perforations 154, 156 and 158. The belt has a thickness ofabout 0.2 mm to 1.5 mm. Perforations 154, 156 and 158 may be surroundedby lips as shown in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2010/0186913, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,293,072, FIGS. 4 through 9, but thisis not required. The perforations on the upper surface are separated bya plurality of flat portions or lands 166, 168 and 170 therebetween thatseparate the perforations. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, each ofthe upper portions of the perforations 154, 156 and 158 (sheetcontacting side) has an open area of about 1500 square mils or so, andare oval in shape with a length of about 50 mils mm along a longer axis172 and a width of about 36 mils or so along a shorter axis 174 of theperforations 154, 156 and 158, while those on the lower surface (rollcontacting side) have an open area of approximately 300 square mils witha length of about 22 mils and a width of about 15 mils. It is greatlypreferred that the perforations form a staggered interpenetrating arrayto provide flexibility to belt 150, to accommodate the varying lengthsof the fabric that run across the width of the paper machine. The beltshown in FIG. 3 has about 321 perforations per square inch and an openarea of approximately 50% on the sheet contact side and about 10% on theroll contact side of the belt. It is not necessary that the perforationsbe oval shaped.

FIG. 4 shows a papermachine 220 for use in connection with the presentinvention. Papermachine 220 is a three fabric loop machine having aforming section 222 generally referred to in the art as a crescentformer. Forming section 222 includes headbox 250 depositing a furnish onforming wire 232 supported by a plurality of rolls, such as rolls 242,245. The forming section also includes a forming roll 248 that supportspapermaking felt 252, such that web 254 is formed directly on felt 252.Press section 226 includes felt 252, suction roll 256, press shoe 260and backing roll 262. Felt run 224 extends to shoe press section 226,wherein the moist web is deposited on backing roll 262 and wet-pressedconcurrently with the transfer. Thereafter, web 254 is creped onto belt350 (top side large openings) in belt crepe nip 274 at roll 272 beforebeing optionally vacuum drawn by suction box 276 and then deposited onYankee dryer 230 in another press nip 292 using a creping adhesive asnoted above. Transfer to a Yankee from the creping belt differs fromconventional transfers in a CWP from a felt to a Yankee. In a CWPprocess, pressures in the transfer nip may be 500 PLI or so, and thepressured contact area between the Yankee surface and the web is closeto or at 100%. The press roll may be a suction roll, which may have aP&J hardness of 25 to 30. On the other hand, a belt crepe process of thepresent invention typically involves transfer to a Yankee with a 4 to40% pressured contact area between the web and the Yankee surface at apressure of 250 to 350 PLI. No suction is applied in the transfer nipand a softer pressure roll is used, P&J hardness of 35 to 45. The systemincludes a suction roll 256, in some embodiments. The three loop system,however, may be configured in a variety of ways in which a turning rollis not necessary. This feature is particularly important in connectionwith the rebuild of a papermachine, inasmuch as the expense ofrelocating associated equipment, i.e., the headbox, pulping or fiberprocessing equipment, and/or the large and expensive drying equipment,such as the Yankee dryer or plurality of can dryers would make a rebuildprohibitively expensive, unless the improvements could be configured tobe compatible with the existing facility.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a papermachine 410 having aconventional twin wire forming section 412, a felt run 414, a shoe presssection 416, a creping belt 450 and a Yankee dryer 420 suitable forpracticing the present invention. Forming section 412 includes a pair offorming fabrics 422, 424 supported by a plurality of rolls 426, 428,430, 432, 434, 436 and a forming roll 438. A headbox 440 providespapermaking furnish issuing therefrom as a jet in the machine directionto a nip 442 between forming roll 438 and roll 426 and the fabrics. Thefurnish forms a nascent web 444 that is dewatered on the fabrics withthe assistance of suction, for example, by way of suction box 446.

The nascent web is advanced to a papermaking felt 452, which issupported by a plurality of rolls 451, 453, 454, 455, and the felt is incontact with a shoe press roll 456. The web is of a low consistency asit is transferred to the felt. Transfer may be assisted by suction, forexample, roll 451 may be a suction roll, if so desired, or a pickup orsuction shoe, as is known in the art. As the web reaches the shoe pressroll, it may have a consistency of 10 to 25%, preferably, 20 to 25% orso as it enters nip 458 between shoe press roll 456 and backing roll462. Backing roll 462 may be a heated roll if so desired. It has beenfound that increasing steam pressure to backing roll 462 helps tolengthen the time between required stripping of excess adhesive from thecylinder of Yankee dryer 420. Suitable steam pressure may be about 95psig or so, bearing in mind that backing roll 462 is a crowned roll andcreping roll 472 has a negative crown to match, such that the contactarea between the rolls is influenced by the pressure in backing roll462. Thus, care must be exercised to maintain matching contact betweenrolls 462, 472 when elevated pressure is employed.

Instead of a shoe press roll, roll 456 could be a conventional suctionpressure roll. If a shoe press roll is employed, it is desirable andpreferred that roll 454 be a suction roll effective to remove water fromthe felt prior to the felt entering the shoe press nip, since water fromthe furnish will be pressed into the felt in the shoe press nip. In anycase, using a suction roll at 454 is typically desirable to ensure thatthe web remains in contact with the felt during the direction change asone of skill in the art will appreciate from the diagram.

Web 444 is wet-pressed on the felt in nip 458 with the assistance ofpress shoe 460. The web is thus compactively dewatered at nip 458,typically, by increasing the consistency by fifteen or more points atthis stage of the process. The configuration shown at nip 458 isgenerally termed a shoe press, in connection with the present invention,backing roll 462 is operative as a transfer cylinder that operates toconvey web 444 at a high speed, typically, 1000 fpm to 6000 fpm, to thecreping belt. Nip 458 may be configured as a wide or an extended nipshoe press, as is detailed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,820 toSchiel, et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

The use of particular adhesives cooperates with a moderately moist web(25 to 70% consistency) to adhere it to the Yankee sufficiently, toallow for high velocity operation of the system and high jet velocityimpingement air drying, and subsequent peeling of the web from theYankee. In this connection, a poly(vinyl alcohol)/polyamide adhesivecomposition, as noted above, is applied at any convenient locationbetween cleaning doctor D and nip 482, such as at location 486, asneeded, preferably, at a rate of less than about 40 mg/m² of sheet.

The web is dried on Yankee cylinder 480, which is a heated cylinder, andby high jet velocity impingement air in Yankee hood 488. Hood 488 iscapable of variable temperatures. During operation, the web temperaturemay be monitored at wet-end A of the hood 488 and dry end B of the hood488 using an infra-red detector, or any other suitable means if sodesired. As the cylinder rotates, web 444 is peeled from the cylinder at489 and wound on a take-up reel 490. Reel 490 may be operated at 5 to 30fpm (preferably, 10 to 20 fpm) faster than the Yankee cylinder atsteady-state when the line speed is 2100 fpm, for example. Instead ofpeeling the sheet, a creping doctor C may be used to conventionallydry-crepe the sheet. In any event, a cleaning doctor D mounted forintermittent engagement is used to control build up. When adhesivebuild-up is being stripped from Yankee cylinder 480, the web istypically segregated from the product on reel 490, preferably, being fedto a broke chute at 495 for recycle to the production process.

Backing roll 462 has a smooth transfer surface 464 that may be providedwith adhesive (the same as the creping adhesive used on the Yankeecylinder) and/or release agents, if needed. Web 444 is adhered totransfer surface 464 of backing roll 462 that is rotating at a highangular velocity as the web continues to advance in themachine-direction indicated by arrows 466. On the cylinder, web 444 hasa generally random apparent distribution of fiber orientation.

Direction 466 is referred to as the machine direction (MD) of the web aswell as that of papermachine 410. Whereas, the cross machine direction(CD) is the direction in the plane of the web perpendicular to the MD.

Web 444 enters nip 458, typically, at consistencies of 10-25% or so, andis dewatered and dried to consistencies of from about 25 to about 70 bythe time it is transferred to the top side of the creping belt 450, asshown in the diagram.

Creping belt 450 is supported on a plurality of rolls 468, 472, 473 anda press nip roll 478 and forms a belt crepe nip 474 with backing roll462, as shown.

The creping belt defines a creping nip over the distance in whichcreping belt 450 is adapted to contact backing roll 462. That is, asignificant pressure is applied to the web against the transfercylinder. To this end, creping roll 472 may be provided with a softdeformable surface that will increase the width of the creping nip andincrease the belt creping angle between the belt and the sheet at thepoint of contact, or a shoe press roll could be used as creping roll 472to increase effective contact with the web in high impact belt crepingnip 474 when web 444 is transferred to creping belt 450 and advanced inthe machine-direction.

The nip pressure in crepe nip 474, that is, the loading between crepingroll 472 and backing roll 462 is suitably 20 to 200, preferably, 40 to70 pounds per linear inch (PLI). A substantial pressure in the nip ofabout 10 PLI or 20 PLI or more is preferable. One of skill in the art,however, will appreciate that, in a commercial machine, the maximumpressure may be as high as possible, limited only by the particularmachinery employed. Thus, pressures in excess of 100 PLI, 500 PLI, 1000PLI or more may be used, if practical and provided a sufficient velocitydelta can be maintained between the transfer roll and creping belt.

After belt creping, the web 444 continues to advance along MD 466 whereit is wet-pressed onto Yankee cylinder 480 in transfer nip 482.Optionally, suction is applied to the web by way of a suction box 476,to draw out minute folds, as well as to expand the dome structurediscussed hereafter.

Transfer at nip 482 occurs at a web consistency of generally from about25 to about 70%. At these consistencies, it is difficult to adhere theweb to surface 484 of Yankee cylinder 480 firmly enough to remove theweb from the belt thoroughly. This aspect of the process is important,particularly when it is desired to use a high velocity drying hood.

The products of the invention are produced with or without applicationof a vacuum to draw out minute folds to restructure the web and with orwithout calendering. In many cases, however, it is desirable to use bothto promote a more absorbent and uniform product.

Bath tissue of the present invention preferably comprises cellulosicfibers chosen from the group consisting of chemically pulped fibers andmechanically pulped fibers, and from about 5 to about 50% by weight ofeucalyptus fibers having a lignin content of at least about 15% byweight, more preferably, from about 10 to about 50% by weight ofeucalyptus fibers having a lignin content of at least about 20% byweight, and from about 3 to about 10% by weight of regeneratedcellulosic microfiber having a fiber count of greater than 100 millionfibers per gram. Typically, paper making fibers useful in the presentinvention include cellulosic fibers commonly known as wood pulp fibers.Applicable wood pulps include chemical pulps, such as kraft, sulfite andsulfate pulps, as well as mechanical pulps including groundwood,thermomechanical pulp, chemically modified, and the like. Chemical pulpsmay be used in tissue embodiments since they are known to those of skillin the art to impart a superior tactile sense of softness to tissuesheets made therefrom. Pulps derived from deciduous trees (hardwood)and/or coniferous trees (softwood) can be utilized herein. Such hardwoodand softwood fibers can be blended or deposited in layers to provide astratified web. Additionally, fibers derived from wood pulp, such ascotton linters, bagasse, and the like, can be used. Additionally, fibersderived from recycled paper, which may contain any or all of thecategories, as well as other non-fibrous materials, such as fillers andadhesives used to manufacture the original paper product, may be used inthe present web.

In one embodiment, particularly, if a two-ply structure is being formed,the plies of the multi-ply fibrous structure may be of the samebasesheet formulation or the plies may comprise differing basesheetscombined to create desired consumer benefits. In one embodiment, thefibrous structures comprise two plies of substantially identical tissuebasesheet. In a preferred embodiment, the fibrous structure comprises afirst ply, a second ply, and at least one inner ply, as shown in FIG.14. A particularly preferred construction is that shown in U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2009/0297781, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,287,986,in the name of Richard D. Huss et al., entitled “Ultra Premium BathTissue”, published Dec. 3, 2009. In many embodiments of the presentinvention, the web has a plurality of embossments formed therein. In oneembodiment, the embossment pattern is applied only to two plies that arebonded either by knurling or glue lamination to a third ply that iseither unembossed or far more lightly embossed than the other two. Insuch structures, the points of the embossed structure of the twoembossed sheets are usually in contact with the unembossed or lightlyembossed backing sheet, as shown in Dwiggins, U.S. Pat. No. 6,896,768,discussed below. Often, such structures are referred to as having“points to the inside”. In another embodiment, the fibrous structureproduct is a two-ply product wherein both plies comprise a plurality ofembossments, either in a nested structure or a point to point structure.Nested products are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,413,614 to Giesler etal., “High Softness Embossed Tissue” issued Jul. 2, 2002. Variations orcombinations of the rigid-to-resilient and/or rigid-to-rigid embossingprocesses are well understood by the skilled artisan and could beappropriately used in conjunction with the present invention. Forexample, nested embossing, point-to-point embossing, and multi-nipembossing processes are also within those configurations appropriate foruse with the present invention. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos.5,093,068, 5,091,032, 5,269,983 and 5,030,081 to Galyn A. Schulz.

In one embodiment, the fibrous structure product comprises two or moreplies of fibrous structure, wherein at least one of the plies has aplurality of embossments thereon comprising an embossment height fromabout 600 μm to about 1,200 μm. In another embodiment, the embodimentheight is from about 700 μm to about 1,100 μm, and the backing roll iseither lightly embossed on unembossed, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,896,768 to Dwiggins et al., entitled “Soft Bulky Multi-Ply Product andMethod of Making Same”, issued May 24, 2005. The multi-ply fibrousstructure product may be in roll form. When in roll form, the multi-plyfibrous structure product may be wound about a core or may be woundwithout a core.

Example 1

Base sheets having the composition set out in Table 4 were manufacturedon a low speed pilot machine using conventional wet press (i.e., CWP)technology, then converted into multi-ply products having theconstructions set forth in Table 5.

Table 4 basesheet Varisott Caliper GP-C 8 Sheet Basis Tensile TensileFJ98, debonder, mils/ Weight MD Stretch CD Sample Desc. Marathon CMFlb/ton lb/t 8 sht lb/3000 ft² g/3 in. MD % g/3 in. 30.1 4882-28 754 5050 20 0 29.5 9.1 2024 28.5 831 31-1 4882-29 814 50 50 20 3 26.5 9.3 204527.6 744 32-1 4882-30 833 50 50 20 3 27.4 9.8 2284 29.5 851 33-1 4882-31850 50 50 20 3 29.0 10.1 2248 28.3 927 34-1 base 4882-32 915 50 50 20 e26.7 8.1 1487 27.1 573 35-1 base 4882-33 941 50 50 20 6 26.4 8.9 165928.9 604 36-1 base 4882-34 1000 50 50 20 6 27.0 9.5 1787 27.2 706 37.1base 4882-35 1018 50 50 23 7 22.8 7.0 882 25.7 462 38-1 base 4882-361035 50 50 23 7 23.4 7.0 1036 27.2 444 39.1 base 4882-37 1057 50 50 23 724.7 7.0 989 27.8 444 CD Wet Tens Break TEA TEA Break Break TensileFinch Modulus CD MD Mod. Mod. Stretch GM Cured- GM mm-g/ mm-g/ CD MDSample CD % g/3 in. g/3 in. g/% mm² mm² g/% g/% Wet/Dry 30.1 7.7 1296164 91 0.503 2.772 111 74 0.20 31-1 7.1 1233 180 88 0.420 2,305 104 740.24 32-1 6.8 1393 216 100 0.442 2.669 127 79 0.25 33-1 7.9 1444 235 970.568 2.591 118 80 0.25 34-1 base 7.4 921 154 67 0.327 1.803 BO 56 0.2735-1 base 8.0 1000 177 68 0.379 1.876 BO 59 0.29 36-1 base 8.2 1121 15773 0.472 2.062 82 65 0.22 37.1 base 8.1 649 125 44 0.314 1.215 58 340.26 38-1 base 7.5 677 114 48 0.250 1.329 59 39 0.26 39.1 base 8.8 662105 42 0.315 1.265 51 35 0.24

TABLE 5 Converted Product Construction Caliper Basis Tensile FQA Fiber 8Sheet Weight Tensile MD Stretch Tensile CD Stretch GM Wet Tens BreakModulus Count Description mils/8 sht lb/3000 ft² g/3 in. MD % g/3 in. CD% g/3 in. g/3 in. GM g/% Number Condition 1 4882-32 26.65 8.14 1487 27.1573 7.4 921 206 66.83 435 Average 4882-33 26.35 8.92 1659 28.9 604 8.01000 165 68.38 494 4882-34 27.73 9.45 1787 27.2 706 8.2 1121 201 72.79468 26.91 8.84 1644 27.72 627 7.86 1014 190.48 69.33 466 Condition 24882-35 22.78 6.98 882 25.7 482 8.1 649 138 43.97 383 Average 4882-3623.43 7.03 1036 27.2 444 7.5 677 123 47.88 363 4882-37 24.68 7.00 98927.8 444 8.8 662 132 42.25 305 23.63 7.00 969 26.89 456 8.15 663 130.8544.70 350

When tested for physical properties, Dry Linting and Wet AbrasionResistance, as set forth above, the results set forth in Table 6 wereobtained:

TABLE 6 Base Sheet Base Sheet Condition 1 Condition 2 Cell 1 Cell 2 Cell3 Cell 4 Description 2-Ply 3-Ply 2-Ply 3-Ply Basis Weight (lbs/ream)17.14 26.11 13.93 20.45 Caliper (mils/8 sheets) 60.28 108.00 55.58 88.41MD Dry Tensile (g/3 in.) 2198 3528 1384 2507 CD Dry Tensile (g/3 in.1069 1662 793 1133 Geometric Mean Tensile (g/3 in.) 1533 2420 1047 1683MD Stretch (%) 16.70 19.14 16.74 18.94 CD Stretch (%) 7.43 7.47 7.598.35 Perforation Tensile (g/3 in.) 866 1380 652 972 Wet Tensile (g/3in.) 311 477 213 332 GM Break Modulus (g/% strain) 137.56 202.50 93.92134.23 MB 3100 Brightness (%) 92.12 92.25 92.15 91.71 MB 3100 b* 2.262.35 2.06 2.34 Opacity 73.98 82.39 67.12 76.09 Wet Abrasion FQA LintCount 500 495 346 444 Dry Lint L * Difference −0.26 −0.37 −0.43 −0.43TMI Fric GMMMD 4 Scan-W 0.47 0.49 0.38 0.49 (Unitless) Sensory Softness17.22 17.61 18.29 18.47

Dry Lint: No data is shown in Table 4 for dry linting of the base sheetsas the finished product. Dry-lint metrics as shown in Table 6 are allnegative, indicating that the lint on the black felt was under thenon-detect limit of the scanner. If it is taken that no dry lint wasobserved for the finished product, then it is extremely likely that thelint from the base sheets would similarly be under the detection limit.

Wet Abrasion Lint: At the time this data was collected, we were still inthe process of developing a quantitative wet lint test, and so we used aqualitative wet abrasion test based on digital pictures taken to showthe lint left behind prior to washing the sample forquantitative—FQA—testing that we were considering at that time.Accordingly, no statistical analysis was conducted to compare thelinting of the CMF prototypes to the commercial products. From acomparison of FIGS. 6A-6D, however, it can be appreciated that QuiltedNorthern® Ultra Plush (FIG. 6A) and Quilted Northern® Soft & Strong(FIG. 6C) left behind large amounts of lint as compared to the twosheets containing 50% CMF which were, however, deemed not sufficientlydispersible, as it was determined that in excess of 2000 shakes would berequired to disperse these sheets—if they could be dispersed at all.

Softness: The softness scores of the four prototypes are set forth inFIG. 7. It is apparent that cells 3 and 4 made from condition 2 basesheet are softer than cells 1 and 2. These two are also softer thanQuilted Northern® Soft & Strong, Assignee's premium two-ply product, butnot as soft as Quilted Northern® Ultra Plush, Assignee's Ultra Premiumthree-ply product, but are far stronger than either.

Example 2

Based upon the results from Example 1, it was determined to evaluatewhether product designs satisfying the criteria of low lint, highsoftness, and dispersibility could be achieved using 20 to 50% CMF, 3 to7 lb/t FJ98, and 7 to 8.5 lb/ream basis weight.

It was further determined that three-ply glue lamination was anunexpectedly desirable converting configuration for CMF sheets, asunexpectedly high caliper was obtained out of low basis weight sheets.Accordingly, basesheets were made having the properties set forth inTable 7 using CWP technology. When converted into finished three-plyglue laminated rolls, as set forth in Table 8, the products had thephysical properties set forth in Table 9. While these products achievesignificantly improved levels of softness, strength and resistance tolinting whether wet or dry, it can be appreciated that none of thosepresented so far has met the ultimate goal of producing a tissue that isas soft as the softest available commercial tissues, but has sufficientresistance to wet linting to be usable pre-moistened.

TABLE 7 Basesheet Properties Cured- GM 8 Sheet Wet Break Caliper MD CDTens Disp. GM Mod- mils/8 BW Tensile MD Tensile CD Finch # of Tensileulus Cell Roll Cell CMF FJ98 BW SW sht lb/3000 ft² g/3 in. Stretch g/3in. Stretch CD g/3 in. Shakes g/3 in. g/% 3 4885-12 4 25 4 9 50 30.0 9.2775 26.5 384 5.3 98 800 545 47 4885-13 4 25 4 9 50 31.5 9.4 834 23.2 3844.9 104 800 563 53 4885-14 4 25 4 9 50 28.7 8.7 716 24.8 340 5.8 95 800493 41 Average 30.1 9.1 775 24.8 369 5.3 99 800 534 47 4 4885-33 7 50 49 50 27.8 8.06 658 25.3 349 6.8 76 479 37 4885-34 7 50 4 9 50 29.9 8.74905 27.8 386 6.8 83 500 591 42 4885-35 7 50 4 9 50 32.6 9.76 1074 27.6423 6.1 95 600 673 51 Average 30.1 8.9 879 26.9 386 6.6 84 550 581 43

TABLE 8 Converted Product Construction cell Front Roll Middle Roll BackRoll 3 4885-12 4885-13 4885-14 4 4885-34 4885-33 4885-35

TABLE 9 part 1, Converted Product Physical Properties CD Wet BreakCaliper MD CD Tens Modulus Softness Dispersibility # of Lint Black BasisWeight 8 Sheet Tensile Tensile MD CD Finch GM Description Panel ShakesFelt Unitless lb/3000 ft² mils/8 sht g/3 in. g/3 in. Stretch % Stretch %g/3 in. g/% Cell 3, 3- 18.7 713 1.92 24.9 164 1011 672 11.8 7.0 140 92ply Cell 3, 3- 18.7 663 1.73 25.1 158 1063 651 13.0 6.5 149 90 ply Cell4, 3- 18.6 788 0.35 24.4 160 1645 848 15.2 9.3 156 100 ply Cell 4, 3-18.6 800 0.12 23.4 154 1478 844 15.6 9.1 157 97 ply Cell 3 18.7 688 1.8325.0 161 1037 662 12.4 6.8 144 91 Average Cell 4 18.6 794 0.24 23.9 1571561 846 15.4 9.2 156 98 Average part 2, Converted Product PhysicalProperties Opacity Break Break TEA TEA FQA Fiber MacBeth Void ModulusModulus Void MD CD FQA Fiber Len FQA Opacity TMI Volume MD CD Volumemm-gm/ mm-gm/ Count L_(w) Fine Len Units Ply Bond. g Wt Inc % g/% g/%Ratio mm² mm² Number mm L_(w) % Cell 3, 3-ply 79 10.9 1,353 88 97 7.20.76 0.37 2408 0.80 9.0 Cell 3, 3-ply 80 6.5 1,399 82 99 7.4 0.94 0.332011 0.79 9.1 Cell 4, 3-ply 82 7.6 1,399 108 93 6.9 1.65 0.61 1563 0.6417.7 Cell 4, 3-ply 82 9.5 1,373 98 95 7.3 1.21 0.60 2985 0.78 10.4 Cell3 Average 79 8.7 1376 85 98 7.3 0.85 0.35 2209 0.80 9.0 Cell 4 Average82 8.5 1386 103 94 7.1 1.43 0.60 2274 0.71 14.0

Table 10 shows a comparison of converted low-lint CWP, CMF containingproducts with an ultra-premium retail tissue, Assignee's QuiltedNorthern® Ultra Plush and a competitive product which, judging from itsname, is apparently promoted at least partially on the basis of itsstrength, Charmin® Ultra Strong. Three-ply CWP products with CMF wereable to at least slightly surpass the performance of Charmin® UltraStrong in several ways: higher bulk, higher wet strength, higheropacity, and much lower lint, achieving these advantages at equal weightand softness. The softness difference, however, is not sufficientlylarge, so that it is entirely certain that the difference could bereplicated in subsequent panels testing the same products. It is clear,however, that the softness of the CMF containing protocepts wassignificantly inferior to that of Quilted Northern® Ultra Plush eventhough their bulk, wet and dry strength, opacity and linting resistancewere improved.

TABLE 10 Comparison of Converted Product Previous low- Quilted Charmin ®lint protocept Current Current Northern ® Ultra Comparative 25% CMF 50%CMF Ultra Plush Strong Example 1 Protocept Protocept CMF, % 50 25 50 SW,% 50 37.5 25 Euc, %  0 37.5 25 FJ98, lb/t 20 4 4 Basesheet BW, lb/ream12-12.5  7 9 9 Emboss HVS-9 knurl HVS-9 glue HVS-9 glue Caliper mils/8sheet 144 140 88 161 157 Caliper, cc/g 7.8 11.4   8.4 12.6 12.9 VoidVolume, % increase 1,301 1,376 1,386 Basis Weight, lb/3000 ft² 36 23.9  20.4 25.0 23.9 MDDT, g/3 in. 1200 1,373 2507  1,037 1561 MD str, %16.56   18.9 12.4 15.4 CDDT, g/3 in. 450 699 1133  662 846 CD Str, %11.1   8.4 6.8 9.2 CDWT, g/3 in. 40 79 332  144 156 GMT, g/3 in 735 9801685  828 1149 GM Break Modulus, 59 73 134  91 98 g/%/3 in. Opacity 7767 79 82 Softness 20.0 18.6   18.5 18.7 18.6 Dispersibility, # of <7002000+  688 794 Shakes Dry Lint (Delta L*) 10.2 3.0   −0.4 1.8 0.24 WetLint (Fiber Count) 15000 8,480 444  2209 2274

It can be appreciated that the protocept (trial product produced in thelaboratory that may not necessarily be commercially or economicallypractical to manufacture in commercial equipment) with 25% CMF exhibitedquite good levels of softness, linting, opacity, dispersibility andstrength. The softest products, however, were somewhat deficient insoftness compared to Quilted Northern® Ultra Plush.

Example 3

As the protocepts of Examples 1 and 2 were unable to match the softnessperformance of Assignee's ultra premium product, Quilted Northern® UltraPlush, exploratory work was done using the paper-making technologydisclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0186913, inconjunction with lower CMF content furnishes, to determine the possibleinteraction of this new belt-creping technology with CMF containingfurnishes and to determine whether the two technologies were compatible,and, if so, whether the use of the two together had advantages in theformation of a pre-wettable bath tissue. It had been hoped that, if thiseffort were successful, it might be possible to develop a pre-wettablebath tissue that, even though it might not match Quilted Northern® UltraPlush in absolute level of softness, might be close enough that anydeficiency would not be easily perceptible. So, rather improved softnesswas desired to exceed the 18.7 panel softness achieved in ComparativeExample 2 and more closely approach the Panel softness value of 20achieved by Quilted Northern® Ultra Plush.

Accordingly, basesheet samples were prepared using a belt similar tothat illustrated in FIG. 3 on a pilot scale paper machine using afurnish comprising 65% northern bleached softwood kraft, 15% eucalyptus,and 20% CMF with temporary wet strength with process parameters set asdescribed in Table 11. The properties of those basesheets are set forthin Table 12. Using the scheme set forth in Table 13, the basesheets wereconverted into finished product, as set forth in Table 14, theproperties of which, as determined by physical properties testing andsensory panels, are set forth in Table 15.

Table 16 sets forth the dispersibility, wet tensile strength and basisweight of several commercial products along with those of many productsproduced in this Example. See FIG. 29 as well.

TABLE 11 Process Data Form Roll Yankee Reel 64551 Jet Spd Speed, Speed,Speed, Roll# lb/s 64601 lb/s PVOH lb/t GPB100 lb/t GP C lb/t F398 lb/tfpm fpm fpm fpm 22910 1.0 0.5 7.3 6.0 0.0 2.4 2633 1933 1601 1523 229111.0 0.5 7.3 5.8 0.0 3.0 2634 1933 1601 1523 22912 1.0 0.5 7.3 5.8 0.03.0 2634 1933 1601 1523 22918 1.3 0.6 9.0 7.1 0.0 3.7 2633 1933 16011523 22919 1.2 0.6 8.6 6.7 0.0 3.6 2633 1933 1601 1523 22920 1.2 0.6 8.56.6 0.0 3.7 2633 1933 1601 1523 22921 1.2 0.6 8.4 6.6 0.0 8.9 2633 19331601 1523 22922 1.2 0.6 8.4 6.9 0.0 9.0 2633 1933 1601 1523 22923 1.20.6 8.5 6.5 0.0 8.9 2632 1933 1601 1523 22928 1.2 0.6 7.8 4.8 0.0 14.42643 1939 1601 1523 22929 1.2 0.6 7.8 5.1 0.0 14.5 2644 1939 1601 152322931 1.2 0.6 7.9 4.9 0.0 14.5 2639 1939 1601 1523 22932 1.2 0.6 7.9 4.90.0 14.4 2639 1939 1601 1523 22933 1.2 0.6 7.9 5.0 0.0 14.4 2640 19391601 1523 22948 1.4 0.7 9.5 1.1 0.0 3.9 2430 1697 1401 1334 22949 1.40.7 9.7 0.9 0.0 4.0 2448 1697 1401 1332 22950 1.4 0.7 9.7 1.0 0.0 4.02480 1697 1401 1333 22960 1.0 0.5 6.3 2.1 0.0 2.8 2565 1939 1601 152322961 1.0 0.5 6.3 2.5 0.0 2.7 2565 1939 1601 1523 22966 1.5 0.8 10.0 2.70.0 2.2 2526 1939 1601 1523 22968 1.5 0.8 10.0 2.8 0.0 2.2 2515 19391601 1523 22969 1.5 0.8 10.0 2.8 0.0 2.2 2515 1939 1601 1523 22973 1.40.7 9.5 2.9 0.6 2.1 2514 1939 1601 1523 22974 1.4 0.7 9.5 3.3 0.7 2.02514 1939 1601 1523 22975 1.4 0.7 9.5 2.8 0.9 2.0 2514 1939 1601 152322981 1.0 0.5 6.2 1.8 4.1 2.1 2619 1939 1601 1523 22982 1.3 0.6 3.8 2.86.3 2.5 2619 1939 1601 1262 WE DE Suction Mokling Slice Total HB YankeeYankee roll Box JetWire Opening Flow, Refiner Hood Hood vacuum, Vacuum,ViscoNip Roll# Ratio inches gpm HP Temp., F. Temp., F. in. Hg. in. Hg.Load. FLI 22910 1.36 0.779 1727 14.7 430 381 11.4 11.1 558 22911 1.360.779 1731 14.7 392 342 11.5 11.1 600 22912 1.36 0.779 1729 14.7 392 33811.5 11.2 600 22918 1.36 0.779 1737 34.6 323 205 11.2 12.0 600 229191.36 0.779 1733 34.7 325 203 11.3 12.2 600 22920 1.36 0.779 1733 34.8328 202 11.3 12.2 600 22921 1.36 0.779 1733 34.8 326 201 11.3 12.3 60022922 1.36 0.779 1731 34.8 325 200 11.4 12.3 600 22923 1.36 0.779 172833.7 325 200 11.4 12.4 600 22928 1.36 0.767 1698 35.3 348 192 11.7 12.2600 22929 1.36 0.767 1698 35.4 353 193 11.7 12.2 600 22931 1.36 0.7741696 35.5 352 194 11.8 12.1 600 22932 1.36 0.775 1701 35.6 344 195 11.821.7 600 22933 1.36 0.775 1700 35.4 350 195 11.8 23.2 600 22948 1.430.753 1307 10.3 419 378 11.8 19.5 375 22949 1.44 0.753 1312 10.3 393 33811.7 24.2 375 22950 1.46 0.753 1332 10.3 399 347 11.7 24.3 375 229601.32 0.876 2307 10.1 598 558 11.7 23.6 600 22961 1.32 0.876 2308 10.1602 546 11.8 23.7 600 22966 1.30 0.876 2252 31.2 398 343 11.2 22.7 60022968 1.30 0.876 2235 34.2 398 353 10.6 22.8 600 22969 1.30 0.876 224235.3 396 343 10.6 22.8 600 22973 1.30 0.910 2242 22.5 401 341 10.8 23.0600 22974 1.30 0.910 2242 22.5 399 358 10.8 23.1 600 22975 1.30 0.9102239 22.4 399 345 10.8 23.1 600 22981 1.35 0.753 1564 10.1 600 548 11.723.9 350 22982 1.35 0.753 1569 10.0 602 551 11.9 20.7 350

TABLE 12 Basesheet Data TEA TL2009- Base- 8 Sheet Break GM Void Lint2041 sheet Caliper Basis Tensile Tensile Tensile Finch Modulus mm-Volume Black Parent CMF FJ98, mils/8 Weight MD Stretch CD Stretch GM CDGM gm/ Wt Felt Roll % lb/ton sht lb/3000 ft² g/3 in. MD % g/3 in. CD %g/3 in. g/3 in. g/% mm² W/D Inc. % Unitless 22910 20 2.4 54.5 9.0 35930.4 260 8.2 306 30 19.4 0.289 0.11 999 2.94 22911 20 3.0 53.7 9.1 39931.3 263 7.9 324 34 20.7 0.308 0.13 1,093 2.68 22912 20 3.0 52.3 8.6 34129.1 289 8.1 314 41 19.7 0.293 0.14 1,013 2.51 22918 20 3.7 39.9 7.1 36127.2 286 7.6 321 40 21.8 0.285 0.14 1,084 1.00 22919 20 3.6 42.5 7.2 39226.8 307 8.0 347 41 23.6 0.295 0.13 1,103 0.58 22920 20 3.7 40.1 7.1 41428.0 309 7.1 358 42 25.7 0.309 0.14 1,075 0.71 22921 20 8.9 41.6 7.2 51027.2 401 7.0 452 90 33.2 0.390 0.22 1,010 0.51 22922 20 9.0 40.2 7.3 49326.0 409 7.9 449 91 31.0 0.409 0.22 971 0.20 22923 20 8.9 40.6 7.3 52626.2 384 7.1 450 83 33.0 0.380 0.22 1,020 0.33 22928 20 14.4 41.8 7.4632 28.5 517 7.4 571 144 39.8 0.531 0.28 938 0.02 22929 20 14.5 41.4 7.2591 27.7 503 8.1 544 160 37.5 0.533 0.32 922 −0.17 22931 20 14.5 43.47.3 643 28.8 481 7.9 556 139 37.1 0.541 0.29 908 0.12 22932 20 14.4 47.67.2 577 27.1 425 7.4 494 136 35.0 0.443 0.32 22933 20 14.4 47.1 7.2 54526.6 464 8.0 503 144 34.9 0.476 0.31 22948 20 3.9 69.7 12.1 663 35.0 34711.0 479 71 24.9 0.542 0.20 22949 20 4.0 74.0 12.0 662 32.6 376 10.1 49857 27.5 0.529 0.15 22950 20 4.0 71.7 11.9 662 33.5 414 9.9 523 82 28.90.554 0.20 22960 0 2.8 83.0 14.8 496 22.8 394 5.2 442 45 41.1 0.251 0.1122961 0 2.7 84.2 14.7 531 24.1 461 6.1 495 63 40.0 0.395 0.14 22966 02.2 57.4 8.9 321 22.7 260 7.1 289 25 23.0 0.239 0.10 22968 0 2.2 55.79.0 353 20.5 285 6.2 317 30 28.5 0.237 0.10 22969 0 2.2 57.7 9.1 32419.6 294 6.4 308 26 27.5 0.230 0.09 22973 10 2.1 56.0 9.2 410 22.9 2724.8 333 24 32.2 0.229 0.09 22974 10 2.0 57.3 9.7 495 24.1 399 6.4 444 3336.2 0.357 0.08 22975 10 2.0 56.1 9.7 434 23.6 347 6.3 388 33 32.1 0.3100.10 22981 10 2.1 82.8 14.6 451 27.6 272 5.7 350 45 28.5 0.010 0.1722982 10 2.5 78.7 14.7 530 30.3 297 5.5 396 48 29.9 0.005 0.16

TABLE 13 Basesheet Configuration Cell Marathon/Euc/CMF Basis wt. FJ98,lb/t Notes Parent rolls 1 65/15/20 9 Low Softest 22910, 22911, 22912 265/15/20 7 Low Some durability 22918, 22919, 22920 3 65/15/20 7 Med.More durable 22921, 22922, 22923 4 65/15/20 7 High Most durable 22928,22929, 22931 5 65/15/20 7 High Aperture 22932, 22933 6 65/15/20 15 LowUltra 22948, 22949, 22950 7 35/65/zero 15 Low Ultra 2-ply Control 22960,22961 8 35/65/zero 9 Low Ultra 3-ply Control 22966, 22968, 22969 935/65/10 9 Low Ultra 3-ply 22973, 22974, 22975 10 35/65/10 15 Low Ultra2-ply 22981, 22982

TABLE 14 Converting Configuration #1 Unwind #2 Unwind #3 Unwind Cell No.Base Sheet Base Sheet Base Sheet Product Description Converting ProcessP3403 22910 22911 22912 Wet durable “K” = 3-Ply Unembossed, knurled; “G”= 3-ply HVS U19, glued P3404 22918 22919 22920 Wet durable “K” = 3-PlyUnembossed, knurled; “G” = 3-ply HVS U19, glued P3405 22921 22922 22923Wet durable “K” = 3-Ply Unembossed, knurled; “G” = 3-ply HVS U19, gluedP3406 22928 22929 22931 Wet durable “K” = 3-Ply Unembossed, knurled; “G”= 3-ply HVS U19, glued P3407 22932 22949 22933 Wet durable, aperture*“K” = 3-Ply Unembossed, knurled P3408 22948 22949 22950 Ultra “K” =3-Ply Unembossed, knurled; “G” = 3-ply HVS U19, glued P3409 22948 22949Ultra “K” = 2-Ply Unembossed, knurled; “G” = 2-ply HVS U19, glued P341022932 22911 22933 Wet durable, aperture* “K” = 3-Ply Unembossed, knurledP3411 22960 22961 Ultra “K” = 2-Ply Unembossed, knurled; “G” = 2-ply HVSU19, glued P3412 22966 22968 22969 Ultra “K” = 3-Ply Unembossed,knurled; “G” = 3-ply HVS U19, glued P3413 22973 22974 22975 Ultra “K” =3-Ply Unembossed, knurled; “G” = 3-ply HVS U19, glued P3415 22981 22982Ultra “K” = 2-Ply Unembossed, knurled; “G” = 2-ply HVS U19, glued P341622981 22960 22982 Ultra “K” = 3-Ply Unembossed, knurled; “G” = 3-ply HVSU19, glued *aperture basesheet -- a very open, porous constructionsimilar to that shown in FIG. 1 of US 2004/0238135, but heavier.

TABLE 15 Finished Product Data Basis Weight Caliper 8 Sheet Tensile GMWet Tens Finch Dry Lint BlackFelt Dispersibility lb/3000 ft² mils/8sheet Softness Panel g/3 in. CD (g/3 in.) (ΔL*) #shakes DescriptionKnurled Glued Knurled Glued Knurled Glued Knurled Glued Knurled GluedKnurled Glued Knurled Glued Wet Durable P3403 26.7 26.3 152 145 20.119.3 841 932 104 113 4.0 5.4 600 600 (20% CMF) P3404 21.9 21.7 117 11519.5 18.6 1,060 1,155 139 152 0.8 1.1 575 550 (20% CMF) P3405 22.4 21.6121 114 19.2 18.2 1,409 1,394 268 281 0.4 0.8 1,600 2,000 (20% CMF)P3406 23.1 22.3 125 119 18.7 17.9 1,719 1,672 439 432 −0.1 0.5 3,7003,600 (20% CMF) P3407 27.4 161 18.9 1,406 321 0.2 2,800 (20% CMF) P341024.2 141 19.2 1,312 287 0.2 1,800 (20% CMF) 3-Ply Ultra, I.C. and ParityP3412 28.1 27.5 166 155 19.2 18.7 903 946 86 86 2.3 2.4 (no CMF) P341329.4 28.8 168 157 19.5 18.3 1129 1,169 113 103 1.9 2.3 (10% CMF) 3-PlyUltra, Superior P3416 45.2 43.9 236 204 19.7 18.9 1164 1,218 163 141 7.47.6 (13% CMF) 2-ply Ultra P3411 30.7 31.0 151 154 19.2 18.5 917 909 117101 4.5 6.2 (no CMF) P3415 29.7 29.2 152 150 19.7 19.3 706 700 91 90 7.25.8 (10% CMF) Other 3-ply P3408 37.1 35.1 206 179 19.6 18.0 1,434 1,714226 274 4.4 5.2 (20% CMF) 2-ply P3409 24.6 24.0 134 132 19.3 18.7 973973 155 154 4.6 4.2 (20% CMF) Knurled product is Unembossed. Gluedproduct is embossed with U19

TABLE 16 CD Wet Tensile Basis Dispersibility Finch weight, Description #of Shakes (gms/3-in.) lb/3000 ft² P3403K 600 104 26.7 P3404K 575 13921.9 P3405K 1600  268 22.4 P3406K 3700  439 23.1 P3407K 2800  321 27.4P3410K 1800  287 24.2 P3403G 600 113 26.3 P3404G 550 152 21.7 P3405G2000  281 21.6 P3406G 3600  432 22.3 Charmin ® Ultra Soft 400 71 29.0Quilted Northern ® Ultra 850 40 36.0 Plush Cottonelle ® Ultra Ave  56 2327.7 Charmin ® Ultra Soft Ave 349 61 28.9 Charmin ® Ultra Strong Ave 29769 24.4 QUILTED NORTHERN ® 997 42 36.8 ULTRA Charmin ® Basic Ave 250 5318.0 Cottonelle ® Fresh 20000+  710 48.0

The results, as set forth in Table 15, were considered unexpectedlygood—especially in terms of softness. It was surprisingly found that notonly was it possible to achieve close parity to Quilted Northern® UltraPlush, but that, in one case, at least numerical superiority wasachieved even though the margin of superiority was slight. Table 10,above, shows properties of an ultra-premium retail tissue, Assignee'sQuilted Northern® Ultra Plush, and a competitive product that isapparently promoted at least partially on the basis of its strength,Charmin® Ultra Strong. Several knurled three-ply CWP products with CMFof this example were able to surpass the performance of Charmin® UltraStrong in several ways: softness, higher bulk, higher wet strength,higher opacity, and much lower lint achieving these advantages at equalweights. The softness difference for P3406K, however, is notsufficiently large that it is entirely certain that the difference couldbe replicated in subsequent panels testing the same products.(Typically, we find that an improvement of 0.5 points of softness on thescales reported by our sensory panels will consistently be considereddistinctly and noticeably softer.) The softness of the glued productswas lower than what we would normally expect in comparison to theknurled. The reason for this deficiency is not known, but could easilylie more in the embossing and gluing techniques used rather than in thebasesheets themselves. Even more surprisingly, it was found that thestrength of P3403K was actually significantly higher than that ofQuilted Northern® Ultra Plush, even though the basis weight of thesofter, but stronger sheet, was less than 75% of Quilted Northern® UltraPlush. Further, the sheet was dispersible, but exhibited sufficient wetstrength to be usable pre-wetted. In terms of dry lint, this productalso surpassed Quilted Northern® Ultra Plush, exhibiting a ΔL* of 4.0 ascompared to 10.2 for Quilted Northern® Ultra Plush.

FIGS. 8A to 8D provide graphic comparisons of the most significantproperties of the tissues to Quilted Northern® Ultra Plush, QuiltedNorthern® Soft & Strong, Charmin® Ultra Soft and Charmin® Ultrastrong.

FIG. 8A demonstrates that P3403K, the wet linting of which is shown inFIG. 9A, is comparable in softness to Quilted Northern® Ultra Plush andCharmin® Ultra Soft, both of which currently are generally perceived ashaving very high softness by Assignee's sensory softness testing panels,while a comparison of FIGS. 9A and 9C demonstrates that Charmin® UltraSoft is quite susceptible to wet linting, indicating that it would notgenerally be considered to be satisfactory for use pre-moistened, whileP3405K leaves behind far less lint and so might be deemed to beacceptable for that use. FIG. 8A also illustrates that the dry lintingof P3403K is somewhat less than that of either Charmin® Ultra Soft orQuilted Northern® Ultra Plush, which are not perceived as havingsignificant quality issues in this regard. The comparison shown in FIGS.9A to 9E visually portrays the qualitative results that considerablelint is left on the felt with the two Charmin® products, a much smaller,but detectable amount of lint is left behind with P3403K, while it isquite difficult to detect lint left behind with either P3405K or theKimberly-Clark Cottonelle® Fresh. It is considered quite significantthat P3405K achieves softness clearly exceeding that of Charmin® UltraStrong, while leaving almost no lint behind on either of the wet lintingtest or the dry. See FIG. 9B. Quilted Northern® Ultra Plush and QuiltedNorthern® Soft & Strong are roughly comparable in wet linting to the twoCharmin® products. FIG. 8B illustrates that P3403K achieves Total EnergyAbsorption, (TEA, a measure of toughness), equivalent to Charmin® UltraSoft while P3405K, in addition to its remarkable resistance to linting,clearly surpasses Charmin® Ultra Strong both in toughness and softness.FIG. 8C illustrates the same advantages in term of tensile strengthrather than toughness. FIG. 8D compares the fiber required for astatistical case among the various tissues examined, although it shouldbe noted that this does not translate into savings due to the increasedcost of the CMF as compared to wood pulp. Preliminary testing, donebefore the procedures for measuring dispersibility and wet lint weredeveloped, indicated that high linting products, such as the twoCharmin® tissues, were quite easily dispersed, as were the very softproducts P3403G and P3403K, which exhibited moderate linting. The verylow lint CMF containing products of this Example could be dispersedwithout undue difficulty, while the non-wovens, Cottonelle® Fresh andAlways were far more difficult to disperse, if dispersible at all.

Example 4

In an attempt to improve upon earlier wet-durable tissue made with thebelt of FIG. 3, bath tissue was made with cellulose microfiber (CMF) andtemporary wet strength using the belt shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Table 17below sets forth important parameters of the belt construction.

TABLE 17 Belt Geometry Parameters Units Dimensions Sheet Side Hole CDDiameter mm 0.9652 Sheet Side Hole MD Diameter mm 0.9652 Sheet Side HoleCD/MD CD/MD (unitless) 1.0 Sheet Side Hole Unit Area mm² 0.732 Top HoleRim Thickness mm Sheet Side Hole % Open Area % 52.7 Air Side Hole CDDiameter mm 0.5461 Air Side Hole MD Diameter mm 0.5461 Air Side HoleCD/MD CD/MD (unitless) 1.00 Air Side Hole Unit Area mm² 0.234 Air SideHole % Open Area % 16.9 Sheet Side/Air Side Area Ratio Top/Bottom 3.1Side Wall Angle CD 1 ° (Degrees) 67.3 Side Wall Angle CD 2 ° (Degrees)67.3 Side Wall Angle MD 1 ° (Degrees) 67.3 Side Wall Angle MD 2 °(Degrees) 67.3 Unit Volume mil³ 15863 Unit Volume mm³ 0.260 % MaterialVolume Removed %  37.5% MD Land Distance mm 1.3016 MD Land/MD Dia. Ratio% 134.9% CD Land Distance mm 0.2589 CD Land/CD Dia. Ratio % 26.82%1./width Columns/cm 8.17 1/height Rows/cm 8.82 Holes per cm² #/cm² 72

Basesheets were made using generally those procedures used in Example 3.Basesheet properties are set forth in Table 18.

TABLE 18 Basesheet CD Wet Tens GM CD 8 Sheet Basis MD CD Finch GM BreakTensile Caliper Weight Tensile MD Tensile CD Cured Tensile ModulusWet/Dry Description mils/8 sht lb/3000 ft² g/3 in. Stretch % g/3 in.Stretch % g/3 in. g/3 in. gms/% Unitless 24482 48.7 8.0 467 31.8 374 9.5104 418 24.3 0.28 24483 50.2 8.0 508 31.2 390 9.1 98 445 26.1 0.25 2448447.0 8.0 507 30.7 387 9.5 98 443 26.3 0.25  24496* 88.1 13.7 483 33.9360 6.0 85 417 29.7 0.24 24499 73.6 13.5 595 29.8 444 5.4 113 513 40.30.25 24500 71.7 13.9 490 29.0 403 6.5 89 444 32.7 0.22 24501 71.1 13.6527 28.3 462 6.4 108 493 35.5 0.23 *uncalendered

These products were converted into three-ply tissue product using theconverting scheme set forth in Table 19, the finished tissue having theproperties set forth in Table 20.

TABLE 19 (U19 Glue Laminated) Front Middle Back Marry Roll Nip Roll Roll# Roll # Roll # Open/Closed Caliper Diameter 24482 24483 24484 open 1344.9 24500 24483 24484 open 153 4.9 24500 24496 24483 open 180 2449924501 open 132 24499 24501 open 24482 24483 24484 24496 24483 24484

TABLE 20 Finished Product Properties CD Wet 8 Sheet Lint Tens GM OpacityBasis Caliper Tensile Black Finch Dispers. MD CD Break MacBeth SheetSheet Weight mils/ GM Felt Cured- Softness # of Tensile Tensile ModulusOpacity Length Width Cell lb/3000 ft² 8 sht g/3 in. Unitless g/3 in.Panel Shakes g/3 in. g/3 in. g/% Units in in 1 24.5 142 1,417 1.1 34218.4 2,500 1,606 1,251 92.3 75.4 4.1 4.0 2 29.5 158 1,229 1.2 269 18.62,100 1,475 1,027 90.4 79.1 4.1 4.1 3 34.9 184 1,261 1.5 275 18.0 3,2001,508 1,059 102.9 81.6 4.2 4.1 4 26.6 135 962 2.3 222 17.7 2,000 1,130819 80.3 76.3 4.2 4.1 5 24.0 136 1,412 0.6 315 18.5 1,500 1,591 1,25592.7 75.1 7.3 4.8 6 29.1 161 1,315 1.3 293 18.6 1,500 1,510 1,145 97.978.5 7.4 4.8 8 26.5 137 913 2.2 208 17.6 1,500 1,064 785 75.2 75.9 7.44.8

Even though the bath tissue of Example 3 made using the belt describedand illustrated in FIG. 3 had a desirable combination of softness, wetdurability, and low lint, achieving both premium softness as a drytissue and sufficient wet tensile to be used for wet cleansing withoutpilling, the amount of temporary wet strength resin in the sheets wasquite high, ranging up to 14 lb/ton resulting in a finished product witha wet tensile up to 439 g/3 in. Accordingly, we wished to investigatewhether we could achieve satisfactory properties with a more moderatelevel of temporary wet strength resin.

Several adjustments were made relative to the preceding trial. Basisweight was increased slightly, eucalyptus was increased in the Yankeelayer, stretch was increased, and bulky fiber was added to the air layer(for stratified conditions). Basesheets at 7 lb/ream using the belt ofFIG. 3 had caliper around 40 mil/8 sheets, and three-ply product hadcaliper around 120 mil/8 sheets. Increasing basis weight to 8 lb/reamwas intended to get basesheet caliper into the upper 40's and finishedproduct around 145 mil/8 sheets. The previous low-lint furnishcomprising 60% NBSK, 15% eucalyptus, and 20% CMF yielded very low lintwhen combined with higher levels of temporary wet strength. In thisExample 4, eucalyptus content was increased to 40%, to impart an evensmoother surface, while maintaining low lint. Higher crepe was used tolower modulus. Hardwood BCTMP was used in the air layer in one cell foradditional bulk. A glue-laminated three-ply prototype was made with avery desirable combination of softness, wet strength, and low pillingtendency: 18.4 softness panel rating, 342 g/3 in. CD wet tensile, 1.1ΔL* dry lint. FIGS. 12 and 13 present the results of cell 5 of thisExample 4 along with data from the previous Examples. It can beappreciated that the CD wet tensile is still quite high—ranging from 208to 342, so even though these sheets had excellent softness, there isstill the possibility of achieving higher softness by going to lower CDwet tensile as for most of these sheets. That works out to between 10and 13 g/3 in. per pound of basis weight and we have discovered thatabout 8.5 g/3 in. per pound of basis weight is sufficient to renderthese CMF containing sheets usable pre-wetted.

FIGS. 21 to 23 illustrate domed structures having consolidated regionsformed therein. FIG. 21 is an SEM section (75×) along the machinedirection (MD) of perforated polymeric belt creped basesheet 600,showing a domed area corresponding to a belt perforation as well as thedensified pileated structure of the sheet. It is seen in FIG. 21 thatthe domed regions, such as region 640, have a “hollow” or domedstructure with inclined and at least partially densified sidewall areas,while surrounding areas 618, 620 are densified, but less so thantransition areas. Sidewall areas 658, 660 are inflected upwardly andinwardly and are so highly densified as to become consolidated,especially, about the base of the dome. It is believed that theseregions contribute to the very high caliper and roll firmness observed.The consolidated sidewall areas form transition areas from the densifiedfibrous, planar network between the domes to the domed features of thesheet and form distinct regions that may extend completely around andcircumscribe the domes at their bases, or may be densified in ahorseshoe or bowed shape only around a portion of the bases of thedomes. At least portions of the transition areas are consolidated andalso inflected upwardly and inwardly.

FIG. 22 is another SEM (120×) along the MD of basesheet 600 showinghollow 640, as well as consolidated sidewall areas 658 and 660. It isseen in this SEM that the cap 662 is fiber-enriched, of a relativelyhigh basis weight as compared with areas 618, 620, 658, 660. CD fiberorientation bias is also apparent in the sidewalls and dome.

FIG. 23 is an SEM section (120×) along the machine direction (MD) ofbasesheet 700, in which consolidated sidewall areas 758, 760 aredensified and are inflected inwardly and upwardly.

As illustrated in FIG. 24, the process for producing high lignineucalyptus by pre-conditioning refiner chemical alkaline peroxidemechanical pulping consists of five main process steps:

1. Impregnation: Wood chips (or plant fibers) are compressed in a largescrew press and discharged into an inclined (atmospheric) impregnationvessel. The vessel contains a mixture of chelant, hydrogen peroxide andcaustic. The chemicals soften the chips and begin the bleaching process.

2. High Consistency Pressurized Refining: The impregnated chips drain asthey are lifted out of the impregnation vessel and are fed through ahigh consistency refiner. The refiner separates the chips intoindividual fibers and provides heat to drive the bleaching reactions.Hydrogen peroxide is injected into the refiner discharge to boost thebrightness. The hot pulp is discharged into an atmospheric tank andachieves full brightness after 30 to 90 minutes of retention.

3. Low consistency secondary refining: A final refining pass is done atlow consistency to develop the desired fiber properties and to completefiberization of any shives.

4. Shive Screening: The pulp is screened to separate shives from thefully individualized fibers. The rejects are fed back into the lowconsistency refiner to complete separation into individual fibers.

5. Washing: A tissue grade system would use three stages of presses toseparate residual bleaching chemicals and anionic trash formed in theprocess.

For further information concerning pre-conditioning refiner chemicalalkaline peroxide mechanical pulping, see:

Xu, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0263815 A1, now U.S.Pat. No. 8,216,423, “Multi-Stage AP Mechanical Pulping With Refiner BlowLine Treatment”, Oct. 21, 2010; Herkel et al., U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2010/0186910 A1, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,048,263, “FourStage Alkaline Peroxide Mechanical Pulpings”, Jul. 29, 2010; Sabourin,U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0066877 A1, now U.S. Pat.No. 7,758,720, “High Defiberization Pretreatment Process For MechanicalRefining”, Mar. 20, 2008; Herkel, U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2004/0200586 A1, “Four Stage Alkaline Peroxide Mechanical Pulping”,Oct. 14, 2004; Sabourin, U.S. Pat. No. 7,892,400 B2, “HighDefiberization Chip Pretreatment Apparatus”, Feb. 22, 2011; Sabourin,U.S. Pat. No. 7,758,721 B2, “Pulping Process With High DefiberizationChip Pretreatment”, Jul. 20, 2010; Sabourin, U.S. Pat. No. 7,300,541 B2,“High Defiberization Chip Pretreatment”, Nov. 27, 2007; Sabourin, U.S.Pat. No. 6,899,791 B2, “Method Of Pretreating LignocelluloseFiber-Containing Material In A Pulp Refining Process”, May 31, 2005; Xu,U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0069427 A1., “Multi-StageAP Mechanical Pulping With Refiner Blow Line Treatment”, Apr. 15, 2004;and Xu et al., International Publication No. WO 03/008703 A1; “FourStage Alkaline Peroxide Mechanical Pulping”, Jan. 30, 2003.

Table 21 sets forth suitable process details for preparation ofeucalyptus APMP for use in the present invention.

TABLE 21 Processing Conditions for eucalyptus APMP A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 A7A8 A9 A10 SAMPLE FURNISH I1 A1 A1 A1 A1 I1 A6 A6 A6 A6 kWh/ODMT PASS 58487 181 301 322 576 78 140 187 226 APPLIED Total 655 742 836 1137 1158647 725 787 974 1013 Total Alkalinity 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.11.1 1.1 % Impregnation Refiner 5.6 5.6 5.6 5.6 5.6 10 10 10 10 10 TotalApplied 6.7 6.7 6.7 6.7 6.7 11.1 11.1 11.1 11.1 11.1 Residual 0.47 0.470.47 0.47 0.51 2.01 2.01 2.01 2.01 2.94 Net 6.23 6.23 6.23 6.23 6.199.09 9.09 9.09 9.09 8.16 Hydrogen Peroxide 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.11.1 1.1 1.1 % Impregnation Refiner 9.6 9.6 9.6 9.6 9.6 11.9 11.9 11.911.9 11.9 Total Applied 10.7 10.7 10.7 10.7 10.7 13 13 13 13 13 Residual4.57 4.57 4.57 4.57 3.33 0.92 0.92 0.92 0.92 0.74 Net 6.13 6.13 6.136.13 7.37 12.08 12.08 12.08 12.08 12.26 FREENESS (CSF) 577 474 427 344335 541 448 396 317 307 DENSITY 0.27 0.3 0.27 0.34 0.36 0.36 0.38 0.410.46 0.47 BULK (cm³/g) 3.69 3.28 3.68 2.92 2.81 2.78 2.62 2.43 2.15 2.11BURST INDEX 0.59 0.84 1.07 1.47 1.44 1.1 1.6 1.99 2.38 2.73 (kPa · m²/g)TEAR INDEX 3.7 4.5 4.7 4.8 4.9 5.9 6.6 6.1 6.1 6 (mN · m²/g) TENSILEINDEX 16 23.7 28.3 34.6 38 28.7 36.7 42.2 52.6 55 (N · m/g) BreakingLength km 1.6 2.4 2.9 3.5 3.9 2.9 3.7 4.3 5.4 5.6 % STRETCH 0.86 1.131.33 1.52 1.65 1.21 1.49 1.7 2.07 2.34 TEA (J/m²) 4.81 9.33 13.38 19.0422.92 12.56 19.47 25.92 39.63 49.01 ABSORPTION 0.21 0.2 0.2 0.21 0.220.28 0.27 0.23 0.25 0.25 COEFF. (m % OPACITY 80.7 81.1 82.5 82.9 83.579.7 79.9 80.6 80.2 80.8 SCATT. COEFF. 47 48.2 52 52.8 54 42.7 45.3 46.745.8 46.2 (m²/kg) ISO BRIGHTNESS 85.6 85.9 85.8 86 85.4 84.9 85.4 85.284.8 84.7 % SHIVES 12.34 6.98 4 0.78 0.68 11.84 5.54 2.68 1.08 0.78(PULMAC-0.10 mm) LENGTH 0.893 0.845 0.831 0.782 0.762 0.806 0.813 0.840.784 0.772 WEIGHTED AVG LNG (mm) ARITHMETIC AVG. 0.455 0.446 0.4460.451 0.447 0.455 0.448 0.447 0.453 0.452 LENGTH (mm) WGT WEIGHTED 1.871.57 1.54 1.22 1.12 1.3 1.37 1.65 1.19 1.2 AVG LNG (mm) AVERAGE WIDTH32.7 31.91 31.23 29.46 29.15 31.07 32.15 29.52 29.05 (pm) SURFACE AREA1155 1060 1305 1371 1592 1467 1277 1045 1629 1465 (m²) FIBER % ON 10.15.9 3.2 1.1 0.9 9.2 4.7 3.1 0.8 0.6 CLASS 14 MESH % ON 15.1 14.4 11.55.3 4.7 16 13 11.4 6.4 4.7 28 MESH % ON 26.4 29.8 31.3 34.7 33.4 27.129.6 34 35.2 35.6 48 MESH % ON 20.8 20.8 22 25.4 24.2 21.1 22 23.7 24.325 100 MESH % ON 14 13.8 14.4 16.6 15.9 13.1 14.1 14.6 16.2 16.2 200MESH % THRU 13.6 15.3 17.6 16.9 20.9 13.5 16.6 13.2 17.1 17.9 200 MESH+28 MESH 25.2 20.3 14.7 6.4 5.6 25.2 17.7 14.5 7.2 5.3

Example 5

This example is taken from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/574,200, entitled “High Softness, High Durability Bath TissueIncorporating High Lignin Eucalyptus Fiber”, filed on Jul. 28, 2011,naming Jeffrey A. Lee and Daniel W. Sumnicht as inventors, illustratingthe suitability of eucalyptus pre-conditioning refiner chemical alkalineperoxide mechanical pulp referred to herein as eucalyptus APMP forshort. We have found that we can get surprisingly good softness, bulkand wet properties using eucalyptus APMP, in conjunction with relativelylow contents of CMF, even in CWP products. Accordingly, it is evidentthat eucalyptus APMP can be substituted into the formulations describedelsewhere in this application to significant benefit, particularly, incases where the amount of CMF is below 20% by weight.

Experimental Procedure

Pulps were distributed from Tanks according to Table 22. The strategyfor the outer plies was to make a Yankee layer with kraft pulp and gooddurability with a layer of high-bulk APMP or other integrated furnish.The middle ply was homogeneously formed with a high (65%) percentage ofAPMP to maximize bulk or 100% southern kraft. P6 high bulk APMP was usedfor outer plies, and P3 APMP was used for the middle ply. Marathon NBSKwas unrefined. The source of eucalyptus was Votorantim Celulose e Papel(VCP), aka Fibria, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

TABLE 22 Tank 1, Air layer Tank 3, Yankee layer Total Cell B.W. Pulp B.WPulp BW Purpose Stratified 1 3.9 P6 APMP 7.1 50/50 Mar./Euc. 11 Outerplies 2 4.4 P6 APMP 8.2 50/50 Mar./Euc. 12.6 Outer plies 3 4.5 P6 APMP6.5 18/41/41 CMF/Mar./Euc. 11 Outer plies 7 3.9 40/60 P3 APMP/Fibria 7.115/42/43 CMF/Mar./Euc. 11 Outer plies 8 5.5 50/50SSWK/SHWK 7.1 15/42/43CMF/Mar./Euc. 12.6 Outer plies 9 6.2 50/50 SSWK/SHWK 6.2 20% CMF/80%Euc. Kraft 12.4 Outer plies Homogeneous Cell B.W. Pulp Purpose 4 12.665/35 P3 APMP/Mar. Middle ply 5 11 65/35 P3 APMP/Mar. Middle ply 6 12.650/50 SSWK/SHWK Middle ply 10  50/50 SSWK/SHWK Middle ply, No FJ 98 Mar.= Marathon NBSK

Nalkat® 2020 was added as an “anionic trash killer” at 5 lb/ton APMP.This was done to prevent trash from poorly washed pilot APMP frominterfering with retention of temporary wet strength. GP-C, animidazolinum type softener, was added to the static mixer at 3 lb/tonAPMP. T1 and T3 pH were adjusted to 5.0 to 5.5 with sulfuric acid tooptimize retention of temporary wet strength. FJ98 (low molecular weightslightly cationic glyoxalated polyacrylamide temporary wet strengthagent) was added into the pump suction at 6 lb/ton kraft pulp. GP-C wasadded at 3 lb/ton Yankee layer just before the fan pump.

All sheets for outer plies were calendered and had a geometric meantensile (GMT) target of 350 g/3 in. and cross machine direction wettensile (CDWT) target of 40 g/3 in. Sheets for middle plies wereuncalendered and creped with a 10 degree bevel blade. Tensile controlwas achieved by increasing FJ98 or increasing debonder as necessary. Areel crepe of 25% was used for all basesheets. A 15° crepe blade wasused for outer plies. In some cases, use of creping adhesive could bedispensed with, so water alone could be applied through the Yankeespray, as sufficient adhesion for satisfactory creping was provided byFJ98 and the hemicellulose remaining in the eucalyptus APMP. In othercases, when debonder in the sheet interfered with adhesion, it wasdesirable to apply about 0.25 to 0.5 lb/ton PAE coating to the Yankee. Asheet temperature of 230° F. was targeted. Only Yankee steam (no hood)was necessary for drying.

Method of Analysis

Results set forth in Table 23 were obtained when converted into finishedproduct and evaluated for basis weight, caliper, wet and dry tensiles,softness, wet and dry lint and dispersibility. FIG. 14 sets forth adesirable design for a three-ply bath tissue 4-10 product utilizingeucalyptus APMP, in which upper ply 4-12 comprising two strata 4-14 and4-16, in which upper stratum 4-14 comprising 50% northern bleachedsoftwood kraft fiber and 50% by weight of eucalyptus kraft has a basisweight of about 7.1 lbs per 3000 sq ft ream; lower stratum 4-16comprising 100% P6 eucalyptus APMP has basis weight of 3.9 lbs per 300sq ft ream; while interior ply 4-18 comprising 65% P3 APMP and 35% byweight of northern bleached softwood kraft has a basis weight of 11lbs/ream while lower ply 4-20 comprising two strata 4-22 and 4-24, inwhich lower stratum 4-24 comprising 50% northern bleached softwood kraftfiber and 50% by weight of eucalyptus kraft has a basis weight of about7.1 lbs per 3000 sq ft ream; and upper stratum 4-22 comprising 100% P6eucalyptus APMP has a basis weight of 3.9 lbs per 300 sq ft ream. It canbe observed that upper ply 4-12 and interior ply 4-18 have been embossedtogether while lower ply 4-20 is relatively planar and is preferablyunembossed. While the configuration shown in FIG. 14 is somewhat moreconvenient for manufacturing, in many instances, lower ply 4-20 will beinverted so that stratum 4-22 is on an exterior surface of the sheet totake advantage of its usually superior tactile properties.

Table 23 summarizes the properties of CWP prototypes wherein thethree-ply prototypes therein are made having a structure like thatillustrated in FIG. 14. Where “knurl” is indicated in the convertingcolumn, interior ply 4-18 was joined to lower ply 4-20 by knurling in ameandering path. Where “glue” is indicated in the converting column, theplies were joined to each other by glue lamination. Note that the lasttwo rows provide a comparison to Quilted Northern® Ultra Plush bathtissue and prototypes made using a newer technology, in which a nascentweb is creped off of a transfer cylinder at between 30% and 60%consistency. Table 24 sets forth details concerning the structure ofeach glue laminated product; while Tables 24A-24G set forth furtherdetails on the physical properties of the finished products andbasesheets, the finished product composition, and the convertingparameters used for of each of the finished glue laminated products.Tables 25A-25D do the same for the knurled products. Tables 26 to 28delineate the properties and construction of CWP sheets made using ahigh bulk birch pulp manufactured by a high yield pulping process.

TABLE 23 Summary of CWP prototypes. Basis CD Dry weight, Caliper, GMT,Wet, Lint, Wet lint, Dispersibility, Item Description lb/3000 ft² mil/8sht g/3 in. Softness g/3 in. ΔL* mm² #shakes Converting 1 High-bulkmechanical HW 27.0 131 888 19.7 193 0.4 2-ply, HVS9 knurl w/CMF 2High-bulk mechanical HW 37.7 174 899 20.0 192 −0.1 2-ply, HVS9 knurlw/CMF 3 High durable no cmf 27.0 101 2405 17.5 342 0.2 1 3-ply, U19lines, glue 4 Med durable no cmf 28.1 95 2076 18.1 267 0.9 7 3-ply, U19lines, glue 5 Less durable no cmf 28.4 105 1495 18.5 193 1.9 12 3-ply,U19 lines, glue 6 Less durable 20% cmf 26.7 95 2034 17.8 229 0.8 33-ply, U19 lines, glue 7 High durable 20% cmf 27.2 96 2633 17.2 382 0.21 3-ply, U19 lines, glue 8 Euc APMP 33% 38.5 145 902 19.1 85 6.0 193-ply, U19 lines, glue 9 Euc APMP 50% 30.5 112 731 18.9 59 5.6 28 2-ply,U19 lines, glue 10 Euc APMP 60% 38.8 145 850 18.2 60 5.9 24 2-ply, U19lines, glue 11 Euc APMP 44% {circumflex over ( )} 152 982 19.3 90 2.1 11688 3-ply, U19, glue 12 Euc APMP 44% 36.3 160 1018 19.4 116 4.3 15 14503-ply, U19, glue 13 Euc APMP 49%, 7% CMF 32.7 148 835 19.3 92 2.6 4 5753-ply, U19, glue 14 Euc APMP 49%, 7% CMF 32.5 146 1035 19.1 130 0.6 2838 3-ply, U19, glue 15 Euc APMP 31%, 6% CMF 32.4 139 1005 19.1 108 1.76 975 3-ply, U19, glue 16 Southern 62%, 6% CMF 36.7 147 1165 19.3 1011.5 6 2000 3-ply, U19, glue 17 Integrated 57% 34.3 154 737 20.0 72 2.466 875 3-ply, HVS9 knurl 18 Integrated 57% 35.1 160 619 20.4 73 5.0 221000 3-ply, HVS9 knurl 19 Euc APMP 49%, 7% CMF 31.0 146 765 19.8 100 1.118 850 3-ply, HVS9 knurl 20 Euc APMP 49%, 7% CMF 32.1 148 953 19.8 1260.7 3 1450 3-ply, HVS9 knurl 21 Euc APMP 33%, 6% CMF 32.7 143 888 19.6100 2.0 10 1025 3-ply, HVS9 knurl 22 Southern 63%, 6% CMF 36.7 148 95419.8 99 1.9 8 2000 3-ply, HVS9 knurl 23 Southern 65%, 7% Pilot CMF 35.8150 788 20.1 68 3.8 13 2000 3-ply, HVS9 knurl 24 Southern 65%, 7% PilotCMF 35.0 150 823 20.1 89 2.7 11 2000 3-ply, HVS9 knurl Comparatives FRBCP3403G 26.3 145 932 19.3 113 5.4 30 600 Quilted Northern ® UltraPlush37.0 148 773 20.0 40 3-ply, HVS9 knurl

TABLE 24 Basesheet data for Three-Ply U19/glue lamination prototypes WetBreak Break Tens Break Mod- Mod- Caliper Basis Finch Mod- ulus ulus 8Sheet Weight Tensile Tensile Tensile Cured- ulus CD MD 11.2011-0039Conv. PM Basesheet mils/ Ib/ MD Stretch CD Stretch GM CD GM gms/ gms/Sample 1 Cell cell Description 8 sht 3000 ft^(.2) g/3 in. MD % g/3 in.CD % g/3 in. g/3 in. gms/% % %  4-1 1 1 0110-4 49.1 11.4 386 28.5 2844.7 331 23 29 60 14 32-1 1 5 0110-31 64.6 11.5 476 31.1 260 4.3 351 5429 55 16  5-1 1 1 0110-5 47.3 11.4 351 26.9 277 4.4 311 27 28 65 12160.9 34.3 1214 28.8 821′ 4.45 993 104 29 60 14 10-1 2 2 0110-9 50.112.5 410 29.6 327 4.4 365 42 32 72 14 27-1 2 4 0110-26 65.9 117 629 29.7372 4.2 482 62 49 108 22 11-1 2 2 0110-10 53.2 12.6 331 28.7 253 4.7 28935 25 54 12 169.2 37.8 1369 29.3 952 4.45 1136 139 35 78 16 15-1 3 3A0110-14 46.1 11.2 483 32.2 316 5.1 391 44 32 69 15 31-1 3 5 0110-30 62.211.6 552 30.2 312 3.9 415 48 38 80 18 16-1 3 3A 0110-15 48.5 110 38130.9 264 4.7 317 34 27 60 12 156.8 33.8 1416 31.1 893 4.54 1123 127 3270 15 19-1 4 3B 0110-18 45.8 10.9 472 29.8 365 4.9 415 66 34 74 16 26-14 4 0110-25 65.4 13.1 757 29.3 435 3.8 574 74 56 120 26 20-1 4 3B0110-19 46.0 10.9 491 30.8 356 5.0 417 63 33 73 15 157.2 34.9 1719 29.91157 4.59 1406 202 41 89 19 39-1 5 7 0110-38 43.7 11.7 462 29.8 313 5.8380 47 28 50 15 30-1 5 5 0110-29 62.0 11.4 604 28.1 330 4.1 443 33 41 7223 40-1 5 7 0110-39 41.1 10.8 383 29.3 285 5.1 330 42 27 56 13 146.833.9 1449 29.1 928 4.99 1154 123 32 59 17 46-1 6 8 0110-45 45.0 12.5 53928.9 318 5.6 413 39 32 57 18 35-1 6 6 0110-34 63.0 12.8 322 35.9 268 5.5293 31 21 47 9 47-1 6 8 0110-46 44.8 12.9 575 28.7 355 5.7 452 42 35 6120 152.8 38.2 1436 31.1 941 5.58 1157 112 29 55 15

TABLE 24A Ply data for low-weight CWP products. Basesheet data for eachPly X-Ref to 8 Sheet Basis MD CD CD CD Wet GM Break Table Caliper WeightTensile MD Tensile Stretch GM Tensile Tensile Cured Modulus Cell 23 RollID Mils/8 sht Lb/3000 ft² g/3 in. Stretch % g/3 in. % g/3 in. g/3 in.gms/% 1 3 1130-4 Hi durable 27.0 9.2 1259 31.3 870 4.7 1045 171 871130-5 No CMF 27.3 9.2 1112 31.9 712 4.4 888 149 75 1130-6 27.8 8.8 133033.2 859 4.4 1067 127 87 2 4 1130-7 Med durable 29.5 9.6 1092 33.0 5624.0 782 90 67 1130-8 No CMF 29.1 9.7 990 32.4 665 4.6 811 92 71 1130-927.0 8.9 1091 34.8 575 4.7 791 99 61 3 5 1130-16 Less 31.7 9.1 461 31.1380 5.2 418 49 32 1130-17 durable 32.7 9.9 632 34.3 494 5.2 559 64 431130-18 No CMF 30.8 9.2 572 31.6 392 4.9 471 64 38 4 6 1130-20 Less 30.19.2 972 33.3 509 6.1 703 70 47 1130-21 durable 30.8 9.5 1029 33.5 5066.6 721 71 45 1130-22 20% CMF 29.5 9.1 852 33.1 501 6.4 653 58 48 5 71130-24 Hi durable 29.6 9.6 1201 34.9 705 5.6 920 118 72 1130-25 20% CMF28.5 9.3 1198 32.3 625 6.4 865 115 58 1130-26 26.1 8.4 889 30.3 550 6.1699 126 51 6 8 4905-57 High bulk 52.1 13.1 379 27.6 301 5.1 337 36 294905-58 33% APMP 48.5 12.6 409 25.9 298 4.8 348 31 32 4905-59 49.2 12.9391 27.7 306 5.7 345 31 27 7 9 4905-60 High bulk 61.4 16.1 460 28.5 3815.3 417 36 35 4905-61 50% APMP 61.5 15.9 492 28.0 339 5.1 408 39 33 8 104905-62 High bulk 81.7 20.3 508 26.6 434 5.0 469 38 41 4905-63 60% APMP80.1 20.6 633 28.0 459 5.3 539 40 45

TABLE 24B Finished product composition. Euc APMP SBHK SBSK NBSK EucKraft CMF 1 44.4 0.0 0.0 33.7 21.9 0.0 2 44.4 0.0 0.0 33.7 21.9 0.0 348.6 0.0 0.0 28.1 16.1 7.2 4 49.4 0.0 0.0 28.4 15.3 6.9 5 31.3 0.0 0.029.8 32.6 6.4 6A 0.0 31.2 31.2 15.8 16.1 5.6 6B 0.0 31.2 31.2 15.8 16.15.6

TABLE 24C Converting Parameters (U19/Glue) Emboss Sleeves: U19300-0436.2 HVS Sheet Length: 4.09 Plybond Adhesive: TT 3005, 5% solidsSheet Count: 200 Perf Blades: 1866 × 0.040 Cell Emboss Middle Roll #Back Roll # Marry Roll Nip # of ID Pen. Front Roll # Embossed EmbossedOpen/Closed logs/Rolls Notes 1 0.052 Cell 1-4 Cell 5-31 Cell 1-5 16 mm12/24 2 0.052 Cell 2-9 Cell 4-26 Cell 2-10 16 mm  6/12 3 0.055 Cell 3A-Cell 5-30 Cell 3A-15 16 mm 13/26 14 4 0.055 Cell 3B- Cell 4-25 Cell3B-19 16/32 Decreased marry roll 18 nip width 5 0.052 Cell 7-38 Cell5-29 Cell 7-39 16/32 6A 0.052 Cell 8-45 Cell 6-34 Cell 8-46  6/12 6B0.045 Cell 8-45 Cell 6-34 Cell 8-46 10/20

TABLE 24D Glue Laminated Finish Product - Physical Properties (pt. 1)Lint CD Wet Table Wet Black Basis Caliper MD CD GM CD Tens 23 SoftnessAbrasion Felt Weight 8 Sheet Tensile Tensile Tensile MD Stretch Finchref Description Panel mm² Unitless lb/3000 ft² mils/8sht g/3 in. g/3 in.g/3 in. Stretch % % g/3 in. 1 3 High durable no cmf 17.5 1 0.2 27.0 1013,242 1,709 2,405 28.0 5.1 342 2 4 med durable no cmf 18.1 7 0.9 28.1 952,688 1,604 2,076 27.7 5.6 267 3 5 less durable no cmf 18.5 12 1.9 28.4105 1,888 1,185 1,495 26.1 5.2 193 4 6 less durable 20& cmf 17.8 3 0.826.7 95 2,899 1,428 2,034 28.1 6.3 229 5 7 High durable 20% cmf 17.2 10.2 27.2 96 3,727 1,862 2,633 28.9 6.2 382 6 8 33% APMP (P6) 19.1 19 6.038.5 145 1,105 738 902 19.8 4.7 85 7 9 5-% APMP (P6) 18.9 28 5.6 30.5112 878 610 731 20.5 5.2 59 8 10 60% APMP (P6) 18.2 24 5.9 38.8 1451,040 698 850 19.0 4.7 60

TABLE 24E TMI Table GM Break Brtness MacBeth Roll Roll Ply MD Break CDBreak MD TEA CD TEA 23 Modulus MacBeth Opacity Diameter Compress BondModulus Modulus mm-g/ mm-g/ ref Description g/% UV-C % Units in Value %g g/% g/% mm² mm² 1 3 High durable no cmf 203 89.7 72 4.80 29.29 4.65116 355 4.20 0.59 2 4 med durable no cmf 166 89.8 72 4.32 19.10 5.14 96287 3.66 0.59 3 5 less durable no cmf 129 89.8 73 4.55 19.33 20.69 73230 2.61 0.40 4 6 less durable 20& cmf 151 91.6 80 4.26 17.84 8.63 104220 3.44 0.60 5 7 High durable 20% cmf 196 91.3 79 4.38 17.93 3.98 128300 4.27 0.80 6 8 33% APMP (P6) 92 87.8 82 4.91 21.40 9.54 56 153 1.460.23 7 9 5-% APMP (P6) 71 87.8 77 4.12 13.73 11.80 43 118 1.24 0.22 8 1060% APMP (P6) 89 86.6 83 4.71 16.88 10.96 55 145 1.37 0.23

TABLE 24F Finished product composition for CWP sheets NBSK VCPEucalyptus Kraft Euc APMP P6 CMF 1 40 40 0 20 2 40 40 0 20 3 40 40 0 204 40 40 0 20 5 40 40 0 20 6 40 27 33 0 7 30 20 50 0 8 24 16 60 0

TABLE 24G Glue Laminated Finished product - Physical Properties (pt. 1)Table Wet Lint Black Basis Caliper 8 Tensile Tensile Tensile 23 SoftnessDispersibility, Abrasion Felt Weight Sheet mils/ MD CD GM StretchStretch Description ref Panel #shakes Tissue mm² Unitless lb/3000 ft² 8sht g/3 in. g/3 in. g/3 in. MD % CD % 1 11 19.33 688 11.0 2.1 33.7 1521,280 756 982 22.2 5.1 2 12 19.35 1450 15.1 4.3 36.3 160 1,169 886 1,01821.7 4.9 3 13 19.31 575 3.9 2.6 32.7 148 1,019 688 835 20.3 5.2 4 1419.05 838 1.7 0.6 32.5 146 1,314 818 1,035 20.6 5.3 5 15 19.11 975 6.31.7 32.4 139 1,315 769 1,005 22.2 5.1 6A 16 19.29 2000 5.9 1.5 36.7 1471,468 926 1,165 25.5 5.9 6B — 19.31 2000 5.4 1.3 36.8 143 1,464 9711,190 26.6 5.8

TABLE 24G Glue Laminated Finished product - Physical Properties (pt. 2)Table Modulus Roll 23 Perf Finch GM Diameter Compress TMI Ply ModulusModulus mm-gm/ mm-gm/ Description ref Tensile g/3 in. CD g/3 in. gms/%in. Value % Bond g MD gms/% CD gms/% mm{circumflex over ( )}2mm{circumflex over ( )}2 1 11 377 90 94 5.06 21.9 9.0 58 153 1.65 0.28 212 412 116 100 5.13 21.2 7.5 55 182 1.60 0.32 3 13 336 92 81 5.13 26.58.8 50 130 1.27 0.25 4 14 448 130 100 4.95 22.6 8.0 64 156 1.55 0.31 515 397 108 94 4.98 27.8 11.1 60 150 1.62 0.29 6A 16 441 101 95 4.91 22.515.3 57 158 1.96 0.40 6B — 421 106 97 5.04 28.4 14.6 56 168 2.04 0.42

TABLE 25A Construction data for HVS9/knurl prototypes w/ Basesheet data.CD Wet GM TL2011- 8 Sheet Basis MD MD Tensile Tensile Tens Finch Break0039 Converting PM Caliper Weight Tensile Stretch CD Stretch GM CuredModulus Sample Cell cell Description mils/8 sht lb/3000 ft² g/3 in % g/3in. CD % g/3 in. g/3 in. g/%  6-1 1 1 0110-6 46.9 11.1 365 28.8 280 4.5320 26 29 37-1 1 6 0110-36 57.7 12.1 407 35.0 361 5.3 383 49 29  7-1 1 10110-7 47.4 11.3 369 28.7 294 4.6 329 27 29 152.0 34.5 1141 30.8 935 4.81031 102 29 12-1 2 2 0110-11 56.0 12.7 335 29.9 290 4.5 311 33 26 34-1 26 0110-33 63.5 13.0 357 38.7 274 5.4 312 30 23 13-1 2 2 0110-12 52.212.3 326 29.1 250 5.3 285 34 22 171.7 37.9 1018 32.6 815 5.1 908 96 2417-1 3    3A 0110-16 46.9 10.9 417 30.3 341 5.0 376 49 31 29-1 3 50110-28 62.8 11.8 453 30.4 363 4.4 405 45 35 18-1 3    3A 0110-17 45.810.5 382 29.3 301 5.2 338 43 27 155.4 33.2 1252 30.0 1005 4.9 1119 13731 21-1 4   3B 0110-20 45.8 11.0 475 31.3 344 5.0 404 59 32 25-1 4 40110-24 63.8 12.3 708 30.0 374 4.1 514 47 46 22-1 4   3B 0110-21 45.810.5 393 29.9 311 6.2 350 59 24 155.3 33.7 1576 30.4 1029 5.1 1268 16534 41-1 5 7 0110-40 41.6 10.8 365 27.9 274 5.2 316 42 27 28-1 5 40110-27 65.8 13.0 734 29.3 419 4.2 554 72 49 42-1 5 7 0110-41 41.2 10.8363 30.4 284 5.3 321 39 25 148.6 34.6 1462 29.2 977 4.9 1191 153 34162.9 1097 733 893 115 48-1 6 8 0110-47 46.1 12.7 606 31.3 357 5.2 46545 37 36-1 6 6 0110-35 63.7 13.6 390 35.3 312 5.0 345 43 27 49-1 6 80110-48 45.7 12.5 484 28.1 293 5.6 376 38 31 155.4 38.8 1480 31.6 9625.3 1186 126 32 170.4 1110 721 890 94 56-1 7 9 0216-7 46.3 12.6 404 30.9336 5.3 368 35 29 66-1 7 10  0216-16 66.6 12.7 323 36.9 238 5.8 277 6 1957-1 7 9 0216-8 47.6 12.5 477 32.7 362 5.2 415 35 31 160.5 37.9 120333.5 936 5.4 1060 75 26 58-1 8 9 0216-9 46.0 12.5 442 30.5 331 4.9 38239 32 63-1 8 6 0216-13 64.8 12.5 390 35.8 332 5.8 359 45 24 59-1 8 90216-10 46.8 12.7 451 31.0 369 5.0 408 39 34 157.6 37.7 1284 32.4 10325.2 1149 124 30

TABLE 25B Finished product composition for HVS 9 Knurl Products. APMPEuc. SBHK SBSK NBSK Kraft Euc. CMF 1 22 17 17 21 21 0 2 22 17 17 22 22 03 49 0 0 28 16 7.1 4 49 0 0 28 16 7.0 5 33 0 0 30 31 6.0 6 0 32 32 15 165.5 7 0 32 32 0 28 7.0 8 0 32 32 0 28 7.1

TABLE 25C HVS9/knurl finished product Physical Properties (pt. 1) WetAbrasion Lint Black Basis Caliper 8 Tensile Tensile Stretch StretchTable 23 Softness Dispersibility Tissue felt Weight Sheet MD GM MD CDDescription desc. Panel # of Shakes mm² Unitless lb/3000 ft² mils/8Sheet g/3 in. g/3 in. g/3 in. % 5-1 17 20.02 875 2.4 34.3 154 910 59918.1 4.8 5-2 18 20.36 1000 5.0 35.1 160 762 505 17.8 5.1 5-3 19 19.84850 1.1 31.0 146 1,008 583 17.4 5.2 5-4 20 19.79 1450 0.7 32.1 148 1,230740 18.4 5.0 5-5 21 19.56 1025 2.0 32.7 143 1,225 645 18.7 5.0 5-6 2219.79 2000 1.9 36.7 148 1,292 705 21.5 5.6 5-7 23 20.10 2000 3.8 35.8150 918 679 20.3 5.1 5-8 24 20.08 2000 2.7 35.0 150 946 718 18.9 5.0HVS9/knurl finished product Physical Properties (pt. 2) Wet Tens BreakRoll Break Break Perf- Finch Modulus Roll Compress TMI Modulus ModulusTEA TEA Table 23 Tensile CD GM Diameter Value Ply Bond MD CD MD CDDescription desc. g/3 in. g/3 in. g/% in % g g/% g/% mm-g/mm² mm-g/mm²5-1 17 389 72 80 4.96 21 7.9 51.7 124.6 1.02 0.19 5-2 18 354 73 64 4.8323 5.7 43.1 94.3 0.86 0.17 5-3 19 343 100 80 5.00 24 3.2 57.3 112.1 1.030.20 5-4 20 456 126 100 5.04 23 4.4 67.4 148.0 1.31 0.24 5-5 21 431 10093 4.92 22 6.8 66.5 130.1 1.28 0.21 5-6 22 518 99 87 5.03 24 8.7 60.5125.3 1.51 0.26 5-7 23 358 68 78 4.91 20 6.9 45.6 132.4 1.13 0.22 5-8 24352 89 85 5.07 25 7.7 49.9 146.4 1.07 0.23

TABLE 25D Converting parameters Sheet Length 4.09″ Sheet Width 4.05″ #1#2 #3 Unwind Unwind Unwind Lower Lower Mach. Unwind Cell Base Base BaseEmboss Converting Emboss Feedroll Speed Tension No. Sheet Sheet SheetPattern # Process Depth Calender FPM #1 1 110-6 110-36 110-7 300-107.1 3ply HVS 0.090 open 130 0.5 2  110-12 110-33  110-11 300-107.1 3 ply HVS0.090 open 130 0.5 8  216-10 216-13 216-9 300-107.1 3 ply HVS 0.090 open130 0.5 6  110-48 110-35  110-47 300-107.1 3 ply HVS 0.090 open 130 0.53 0110-17 0110-28  0110-16 300-107.1 3 ply HVS 0.090 open 130 0.5 40110-21 0110-24  0110-30 300-107.1 3 ply HVS 0.090 open 130 0.5 50110-41 0110-27  0110-40 300-107.1 3 ply HVS 0.090 open 130 0.5 7 216-8216-16 216-7 300-107.1 3 ply HVS 0.090 open 130 0.5 Unwind UnwindPlybond Finished Cell Tension Tension Air Draw Winding Sheet Roll No. #2#3 Pressure Tension Tension Count Diameter 1 0.5 0.5 23 psi float 0.8200 4.92 2 0.5 0.5 23 psi float 0.6 176 4.84 8 0.5 0.5 23 psi float 0.5200 4.94 6 0.5 0.5 23 psi float 0.7 200 4.90 3 0.5 0.5 23 psi float 0.8200 4.89 4 0.5 0.5 23 psi float 0.9 200 4.95 5 0.5 0.5 23 psi float 0.8200 4.89 7 0.5 0.5 23 psi float 0.7 200 4.92

TABLE 26 Physical Properties of two-ply, high-bulk tissue with Tembecbirch APMP (pt. 1). 8 Sheet CD Wet Tens Caliper Basis Weight MD TensileCD Tensile GM Tensile Finch Cured Description mils/8 sht lb/3000 ft² g/3in. MD Stretch % g/3 in. CD Stretch % g/3 in. g/3 in. 0302-2 62 14.1 87928.1 595 5.1 723 172 0302-3 64 14.5 988 30.3 546 5.4 734 163 0302-4 8819.9 868 28.1 587 5.0 714 154 0302-5 84 19.7 884 28.4 701 5.0 786 183Physical Properties of two-ply, high-bulk tissue with Tembec birch APMP(pt. 2). GM Break SAT CD Break MD Break Modulus Capacity SAT Rate CDT.E.A MD TEA Modulus Modulus Description gms/% g/m² g/s^(0.5) SAT Time smm-gm/mm² mm-gm/mm² gms/% gms/% 0302-2 61 337 0.0613 124.9 0.21 0.96 11732 0302-3 58 350 0.0667 112.6 0.21 1.12 102 33 0302-4 58 548 0.1047141.4 0.20 1.01 109 31 0302-5 63 532 0.1043 146.6 0.25 1.03 137 29

TABLE 27 Overall Composition of 3 Ply prototypes* using Tembec BirchAPMP for bulky inner layer. Mar. NBSK VCP Euc CMF Birch APMP 1 32% 7%10% 51% 2 23% 5%  7% 65%

TABLE 28 Physical Properties of 3 Ply prototypes* using Tembec BirchAPMP for bulky inner layer (pt. 1). Wet Lint Black Basis Caliper 8 TensSoftness Felt Weight Sheet mils/ Tensile MD Tensile Tensile StretchStretch Finch Description Panel Unitless lb/3000 ft² 8 sht g/3 in. CDg/3 in. GM g/3 in. MD % CD % CD g/3 in. 1 19.7 0.4 27.0 131 1,141 696888 17.0 5.1 193 2 20.0 −0.1 37.7 174 1,143 713 899 18.7 4.7 192

TABLE 28 Physical Properties of 3 Ply prototypes using Tembec Birch APMPfor bulky inner layer (pt. 2). Break Opacity TEA Modulus Brtness MacBethRoll Roll Break Break TEA MD CD mm- GM MacBeth Opacity Diameter CompressTMI Ply Modulus Modulus mm-gm/ gm/ Description gms/% UV-C % Units inValue % Bond g MD gms/% CD gms/% mm² mm² 1 95.0 85.9 78.5 4.6 22.3 0.564.3 141.0 1.0 0.2 2 97.3 84.9 84.2 5.2 22.8 0.6 62.0 154.4 1.1 0.2*Items 1 and 2 from Table 23

Summary of Results

Table 23 illustrates several rather surprising results in that three-plybath tissue incorporating eucalyptus APMP exceeded Quilted Northern®Ultra Plush caliper without unduly degrading softness. This isconsidered quite surprising for a bath tissue comprising such largequantities of high yield pulp.

Even with products with excellent resistance to pilling, linting andshredding, it was possible to achieve softness panel ratings greaterthan nineteen while reducing wet lint up to 96% versus Charmin® UltraStrong. It can also be observed that in those products comprising rathersmall amounts of CMF, even further reductions in wet lint values wereobtained. This was especially true of sheets containing CMF at 6 to 7%of furnish, wherein the CMF was concentrated in the surface strata ofthe outer plies by stratification without CMF in the inner ply. This isconsidered to be especially significant as, currently, CMF issubstantially more expensive than most papermaking fibers. Accordingly,it is particularly important both to reduce the amount needed and toobtain easily perceptible benefit for the CMF. Products without CMF,however, particularly, those made with glue lamination, exhibitedreduced wet lint relative to products where the plies were joined byknurling, thus making it possible to achieve excellent results withoutthe use of CMF.

It is clear that applicants have succeeded in manufacturing a bathtissue that is usable prewetted, yet fully achieves a softness that isnot merely comparable to premium and super premium bath tissue, but isat full parity and is arguably even softer, although the improvement ismost likely not significant enough to be noticed reliably by most users.This is a dramatic reversal of previous wet strength bath tissues, inwhich it was hoped that the deficit in softness was not large enough tobe readily noticeable by most users. The softness panel rating of 20.1achieved with furnish comprising 7% pilot CMF, 65% southern softwoodkraft, and 28% eucalyptus kraft is considered to be a significantimprovement in wet strength bath tissue.

High basis-weight CWP prototypes comprising less than 30% southern pinewith large amounts of eucalyptus APMP were dispersible, passing the testdescribed above in under 1500 shakes. Surprisingly, high basis-weightCWP product with an excess of 30% southern pine did not pass thedispersibility test after 2000 shakes as, despite appearing to bedisintegrated, the slurry did not drain with the requisite speed. Itappears that dispersibility may be helped significantly by the inclusionof short, eucalyptus APMP fibers relative to longer southern pine kraftfibers.

Between comparable prototypes, products having plies joined by knurlinghad a slight edge in softness over glue laminated prototypes.

As expected, however, CWP products were at a disadvantage to thoseproducts produced by creping a nascent web at a 30 to 60% consistencyoff of a transfer cylinder.

Two-ply bath tissue made with a furnish including Tembec Birch APMPachieved a softness rating of 20 at 176 mil/8 sheet caliper, exhibitingconsiderable dusting along with knurled ply bonding, which was poor,suggesting that mechanical hardwood APMP other than eucalyptus mayachieve a similar bulk result as eucalyptus if used in the interior plyof a three-ply product, but likely might be rather weak for use in theexterior plies.

These results, however, also demonstrate that the current best practicefor making soft tissue does not optimize the properties of tissues to beused wet. In particular, the current best practice for dry tissue usesabout ⅓ northern softwood kraft and ⅔ eucalyptus kraft with the softwoodproviding network integrity while the eucalyptus provides smoothness andopacity. When a stratified headbox is available, in a refinement of thisapproach, the eucalyptus is stratified in the Yankee side of the sheetand spray softeners are applied up to about the limit at which theybegin to interfere with creping. The stronger air layer with softwoodprovides strength while the eucalyptus layer becomes very smooth andvelvety. As mentioned, however, not only can spray softeners act asrelease agents interfering with effective creping of the sheet, and thusinterfering with realization of the full softness potential of thesheet, but surfaces comprised of 100% eucalyptus kraft often haveincreased tendency to shed lint. Thus, it can be appreciated that apremium softness wet or dry bath tissue product does not necessarilyresult from merely adding temporary wet strength agents to traditionalpremium bath tissue products intended for dry use.

A different strategy is needed for wet-durable tissue to reduce thelinting tendency for both dry and wet use. CMF and northern softwood areincorporated in the Yankee layer, while a temporary wet strength agentis concentrated in the Yankee layer to provide durability. Thus, theYankee layer provides wet tensile and surface strength to reducepilling. The air layer contains an integrated furnish that is debondedas much as is tolerable, with little or no temporary wet strength, asshown in the representative tissue structure of FIG. 14. In thisapproach to providing a premium softness wet or dry bath tissue, theouter plies are stratified with softness and integrity, providingpremium fibers in the Yankee layer and lower cost furnish in the airlayer to provide bulk and overall strength. The middle ply ishomogeneously formed APMP and softwood kraft. Alternatively, the middleply can be made with integrated furnish such as southern kraft. Themiddle ply is creped with a relatively closed pocket to create bulkthrough coarser crepe and uncalendered to preserve the bulk added by thecoarse creping. In this approach, stratification to provide a strongcoherent Yankee layer of low weight with a debonded air layer combinedto produce a finely creped, but coherent tissue on the surface. FIG. 14sets forth a desirable design for a three-ply bath tissue 4-10 productutilizing eucalyptus APMP, in which upper ply 4-12 comprising two strata4-14 and 4-16, in which upper stratum 4-14 comprising primarily northernbleached softwood kraft fiber and eucalyptus kraft, has a basis weightof about 4 to 9 lbs per 3000 sq ft ream; lower stratum 4-16 comprisingprimarily eucalyptus APMP has basis weight of 2 to 6 lbs per 3000 sq ftream; while interior ply 4-18 comprising primarily APMP and northernbleached softwood kraft has a basis weight of 7 to 15 lbs/ream, whilelower ply 4-20 comprising two strata 4-22 and 4-24, in which lowerstratum 4-24 comprising primarily northern bleached softwood kraft fiberand eucalyptus kraft has a basis weight of about 4 lbs per 3000 sq ftream; and upper stratum 4-22 comprising primarily eucalyptus APMP hasbasis weight of 2 to 6 lbs per 3000 sq ft ream. In many cases, it willbe preferable to substitute furnishes comprising about 20% CMF; 40%eucalyptus kraft and 40% northern bleached softwood kraft fiber for 50%northern bleached softwood kraft fiber and 50% by weight of eucalyptuskraft in the above. It can be observed that upper ply 4-12 and interiorply 4-18 have been embossed together, while lower ply 4-20 is relativelyplanar and is preferably unembossed.

Table 23 summarizes CWP prototype properties made using the generalstrategy shown in FIG. 14 in comparison to some other tissue structures.Product 18 is an example of using an integrated furnish to lower costthrough cheaper and bulkier fiber, while maintaining softness. The 176count roll has a 4.83 inch diameter and a 23% roll compression.Alternatively, basis weight can be taken out of the 160 caliper productto keep 200 sheets, as in, for example, the 31 lb/ream product 19.

Product 24 is a CMF containing prototype offsetting the high cost CMF inthe Yankee stratum by low cost integrated furnish away from the surfaceto produce a tissue achieving an extremely high softness rating of 20when tested by a trained softness panel. Product 24 is made with anouter ply comprising a 6.7 lb/ream Yankee layer with 20% pilot CMF and80% eucalyptus kraft with the remaining 6 lb/ream air layer being madewith 50% southern softwood kraft and 50% southern hardwood kraft. As themiddle ply is an uncalendered sheet with 50% southern softwood and 50%southern hardwood kraft, the finished product content nets out to only7% CMF, 28% eucalyptus kraft, and 65% southern kraft for a product thatis potentially economically feasible in view of the benefits resultingfrom the use of the CMF.

FIGS. 13 and 15 show plots of softness versus wet lint with the bubblesize representing CD wet tensile. Softness greater than 19 was achievedfor most CWP prototypes whether they are glue laminated or knurled. Wetlint was very low and wet tensile was generally less than the Delve 358product, but greater than Charmin® Ultra Strong (69 g/3 in. CDWT). Manyprototypes have a combination of softness, low lint, and durability.

It can also be appreciated that prototypes with CMF have less wet lintthan comparable prototypes with only wood pulp. Prototypes with justwood pulp, however, have substantially reduced lint relative to otherretail products, so they may provide the most economical way ofdelivering low lint.

Another comparison to highlight is the lower wet lint achieved with gluelamination relative to knurling, particularly, in products without CMF.The bubbles 90 and 116 in FIG. 15 (glue lamination) were made with outerplies similar to the product represented by bubble 315 (gluelamination). One of the knurled products had higher lint attributable tothe surface ply failing, while other knurled products were both soft anddurable. The difference between these two products was a higher basisweight and strength in the product that did not fail. While all gluedproducts had low lint, most knurled prototypes performed nearly as well.

FIG. 16 compares the dispersibility of previous FRBC prototypes withcurrent CWP. Many CWP products have both dispersibility and low lint,while others fail dispersibility, despite being less durable than FRBCprototypes. This difference between FRBC and CWP can be explained mostlyby basis weight, but the data also suggest a fiber compositioncontribution. CWP prototypes with a value of 2000 shakes were terminatedwithout passing. The samples were observed to be largely disintegrated,but too floccy to pass the small bottle opening in 8 seconds per theprocedure. Higher softwood contents will increase the flocciness of thedisintegrated tissue, and this effect was often seen in a product thatwas made with a middle ply with 50% southern pine. On the other hand,sheets with more eucalyptus APMP passed the test. Minimizing softwoodcontent, particularly, southern pine, can benefit dispersibility,particularly, in high basis weight tissue with more durability.Desirably, softwood content will be kept to less than about 40%, morepreferably, to less than about 35%, still more preferably, between about20% and about 35%, and most preferably, to between about 25% and about35%.

FIG. 17 shows that embossing with pattern HVS 9 (FIGS. 28, 28-A to 28-H,28-J, 28-1, and 28-2), then ply bonding by knurling, resulted in asofter product on similar sheets than embossing with pattern U 19 (FIGS.27, 27A to 27F, 27H, and 27T) and joining by glue. The HVS 9 microembossreduced basesheet tensile on the order of 25%, while there was almost notensile breakdown with the emboss penetration used in U 19.

FIGS. 18 and 19 compare the attributes of bath tissue made using FRBCtechnology to tissue made using CWP. In particular, while FRBC clearlyhas a striking advantage in terms of bulk generation/caliper (FIG. 18),the difference in softness is considerably less substantial (FIG. 19).

Referring back to Table 23, Products 1 and 2 are early prototypes thatused birch APMP for the bulky inner layer. It appears that other APMPhardwood pulps can be substituted for eucalyptus APMP in the interiorplies of three-ply products to provide the bulk benefit of theeucalyptus APMP. The sheets are, however, weak and subject toconsiderable dusting, suggesting that they are not all that desirablefor exterior plies.

In contrast, the preceding Examples demonstrate that low cost eucalyptusAPMP furnish can be incorporated into premium three-ply bath tissuewithout sacrificing softness or the attributes of quality, while addingbulk. Three-ply CWP can be an acceptable format for a premium qualitywet or dry bath tissue.

While the invention has been described in connection with numerousexamples and embodiments, modifications to those examples andembodiments within the spirit and scope of the invention will be readilyapparent to those of skill in the art. In view of the foregoingdiscussion, relevant knowledge in the art and references includingcopending applications discussed above, the relevant disclosures ofwhich are all incorporated herein by reference in their entireties,further description is deemed unnecessary.

We claim:
 1. A multi-ply bath tissue having a basis weight of from about20 to about 35 lbs per 3000 sq foot ream, and comprising: (A) apercentage by weight of cellulosic microfibers; and (B) a percentage byweight of wood pulp fibers, the multi-ply bath tissue having: (a)sufficient temporary wet strength resin to provide an initial Finch Cupcross-machine direction (CD) wet tensile of from about 2.5 to about 20g/3 in. per pound of basis weight, the initial Finch Cup CD wet tensiledecaying to less than 65% of the initial value in less than 15 minutesafter immersion in water; and (b) a caliper of at least 5 mils per 8sheets per pound of basis weight, wherein at least one of the pliescomprises: (i) a plurality of fiber-enriched hollow domed regions havinga relatively high basis weight; (ii) a plurality of connecting regionshaving a relatively lower basis weight forming a network interconnectingthe fiber-enriched hollow domed regions of the sheet; and (iii) aplurality of transition regions with upwardly and inwardly inflectedconsolidated fibrous regions transitioning from the connecting regionsinto the fiber-enriched hollow domed regions.
 2. The multi-ply bathtissue of claim 1, having an opacity of at least about 2.5 MacBethOpacity Units per pound of basis weight.
 3. The multi-ply bath tissue ofclaim 1, comprising from about 5% to about 25% cellulosic microfiber andfrom about 75% to about 85% wood pulp fibers.
 4. The multi-ply bathtissue of claim 1, comprising two substantially unembossed plies and oneembossed ply.
 5. The multi-ply bath tissue of claim 1, comprising onesubstantially unembossed ply and two embossed plies.
 6. The multi-plybath tissue of claim 1, having a basis weight of from about 22 to about32 lbs per 3000 sq foot ream.
 7. The multi-ply bath tissue of claim 1,comprising overall from at least about 5% up to about 50% of cellulosicmicrofiber (CMF) by weight and from about 50% to about 95% wood pulpfibers, the multi-ply bath tissue comprising three plies, at least oneof the plies comprising at least one stratum comprising from about 15%to about 50% of cellulosic microfiber, the multi-ply bath tissue havingan eight sheet caliper of at least about 5.25 mils per lb of basisweight for a 3000 sq foot ream, a breaking modulus of between 2.5 and3.5 g/% stretch per pound of basis weight, a CD wet tensile of between3.5 and 18 g/3 in. per pound of basis weight, and a geometric mean (GM)dry tensile (GMT) of between 30 and 60 g/3 in. per pound of basisweight.
 8. The multi-ply bath tissue of claim 7, wherein (i) the plycomprising the plurality of fiber-enriched hollow domed regions, theplurality of connecting regions, and the plurality of transition regionsis a ply other than an interior ply, and (ii) the at least one of theplies comprising the at least one stratum comprising from about 15% toabout 50% cellulosic microfiber is disposed such that the stratumdefines an exterior surface of the multi-ply bath tissue.
 9. Themulti-ply bath tissue of claim 7, wherein at least two of the threeplies comprise a plurality of fiber-enriched hollow domed regions havinga relatively high basis weight, a plurality of connecting regions of arelatively lower basis weight forming a network interconnecting thefiber-enriched hollow domed regions of a sheet of the bath tissue, and aplurality of transition regions with upwardly and inwardly inflectedconsolidated fibrous regions transitioning from the connecting regionsinto the fiber-enriched hollow domed regions.
 10. The multi-ply bathtissue of claim 7, wherein each of the three plies comprises a pluralityof fiber-enriched hollow domed regions having a relatively high basisweight, a plurality of connecting regions of a relatively lower basisweight forming a network interconnecting the fiber-enriched hollow domedregions of the sheet, and a plurality of transition regions withupwardly and inwardly inflected consolidated fibrous regionstransitioning from the connecting regions into the fiber-enriched hollowdomed regions.
 11. The multi-ply bath tissue of claim 1, wherein thefiber-enriched hollow domed regions in the plurality of fiber-enrichedhollow domed regions are provided in an interpenetrating staggeredarray.
 12. The multi-ply bath tissue of claim 1, wherein, when testedaccording to the Wet Abrasion Lint Test, the Wet Abraded Lint Area isless than 35 mm2.
 13. The multi-ply bath tissue of claim 1, wherein,when tested according to the Wet Abrasion Lint Test, the Wet AbradedLint Area is less than 30 mm2.
 14. The multi-ply bath tissue of claim 1,wherein, when tested according to the Wet Abrasion Lint Test, the WetAbraded Lint Area is less than 25 mm2.
 15. The multi-ply bath tissue ofclaim 1, wherein, when tested according to the Wet Abrasion Lint Test,the Wet Abraded Lint Area is less than 20 mm2.
 16. The multi-ply bathtissue of claim 1, wherein, when tested according to the Dry Lint Test,the ΔL* value is less than 6.0.
 17. The multi-ply bath tissue of claim1, wherein, when tested according to the Dry Lint Test, the ΔL* value isless than 5.0.
 18. The multi-ply bath tissue of claim 1, wherein, whentested according to the Dry Lint Test, the ΔL* value is less than 4.5.19. The multi-ply bath tissue of claim 1, wherein, when tested accordingto the Dry Lint Test, the ΔL* value is less than 4.25.
 20. The multi-plybath tissue of claim 1, wherein the plies are joined to each other byknurling.
 21. The multi-ply bath tissue of claim 1, wherein the pliesare embossed with a pattern having primarily points to the inside andare joined by glue-lamination.
 22. The multi-ply bath tissue of claim 1,comprising three plies of tissue, wherein two plies are embossed, oneply is unembossed, and the plies are joined by knurling, wherein knurledregions are arranged in a meandering path.
 23. The multi-ply bath tissueof claim 1, comprising three plies of tissue, wherein two plies areunembossed, one ply is embossed, and the plies are joined by knurling,wherein knurled regions are arranged in a meandering path.
 24. Themulti-ply bath tissue of claim 1, comprising three plies of tissue,wherein two plies are embossed, one ply is unembossed, and the plies arejoined by knurling, wherein knurled regions are arranged in a meanderingpath and an outermost stratum of a lower ply has substantially the samecomposition as that of an outermost stratum of an upper ply.
 25. Themulti-ply bath tissue of claim 1, having a geometric mean (GM) drytensile of from about 17 to about 80 g/3 in. per pound basis weight. 26.The multi-ply bath tissue of claim 1, having a CD dry tensile of betweenabout 30 to about 60 g/3 in. per pound of basis weight.
 27. A multi-plybath tissue having a basis weight of from about 20 to about 35 lbs per3000 sq foot ream, and comprising: (A) a percentage by weight ofcellulosic microfibers; and (B) a percentage by weight of wood pulpfibers, the multi-ply bath tissue having sufficient temporary wetstrength resin to provide an initial Finch Cup cross-machine (CD) wettensile of from about 2.5 to about 20 g/3 in. per pound of basis weight,the initial Finch Cup CD wet tensile decaying to less than 75% of theinitial value in less than 1 hour after immersion in water, wherein atleast one of the plies, other than an interior ply, comprises: (i) aplurality of fiber-enriched hollow domed regions having a relativelyhigh basis weight; (ii) a plurality of connecting regions having arelatively lower basis weight forming a network interconnecting thefiber-enriched hollow domed regions of the sheet; and (iii) a pluralityof transition regions with upwardly and inwardly inflected consolidatedfibrous saddle shaped regions transitioning from the connecting regionsinto the fiber-enriched hollow domed regions.
 28. The multi-ply bathtissue of claim 27, having a geometric mean (GM) dry tensile of fromabout 17 to 80 g/3 in. per pound of basis weight.
 29. The multi-ply bathtissue of claim 27, having a geometric mean (GM) breaking modulus ofbetween 1.5 to 6.5 g/% stretch per pound of basis weight.
 30. Themulti-ply bath tissue of claim 27, having a CD dry tensile of betweenabout 2 to about 30 g/3 in. per pound of basis weight.
 31. The multi-plybath tissue of claim 27, having an opacity of at least about 2.0 MacBethOpacity Units per pound of basis weight.
 32. A multi-ply bath tissuehaving a basis weight of from about 20 to about 38 lbs per 3000 sq footream, and comprising: (A) a percentage by weight of cellulosicmicrofibers; (B) a percentage by weight of wood pulp fibers; and (C)from about 5% to about 50% by weight of the tissue comprising eucalyptusfibers having a lignin content of at least about 20%, the multi-ply bathtissue having: (i) sufficient temporary wet strength resin to provide aninitial Finch Cup cross-machine direction (CD) wet tensile of from about2.5 to about 20 g/3 in. per pound of basis weight, the initial Finch CupCD wet tensile decaying to less than 65% of the initial value in lessthan one half hour after immersion in water; and (ii) a caliper of atleast 4 mils per 8 sheets per pound of basis weight.
 33. The multi-plybath tissue of claim 32, having a geometric mean (GM) dry tensile offrom about 35 to 80 g/3 in. per pound of basis weight.
 34. The multi-plybath tissue of claim 32, having a CD dry tensile of between about 2 toabout 30 g/3 in. per pound of basis weight.
 35. The multi-ply bathtissue of claim 32, having a caliper of at least 4.5 mils per 8 sheetsper pound of basis weight.
 36. The multi-ply bath tissue of claim 32,having a caliper of at least 5 mils per 8 sheets per pound of basisweight.
 37. The multi-ply bath tissue of claim 32, wherein, when testedaccording to the Wet Abrasion Lint Test, the Wet Abraded Lint Area isless than 35 mm2.
 38. The multi-ply bath tissue of claim 32, wherein,when tested according to the Wet Abrasion Lint Test, the Wet AbradedLint Area is less than 30 mm2.
 39. The multi-ply bath tissue of claim32, wherein, when tested according to the Wet Abrasion Lint Test, theWet Abraded Lint Area is less than 25 mm2.
 40. The multi-ply bath tissueof claim 32, wherein, when tested according to the Wet Abrasion LintTest, the Wet Abraded Lint Area is less than 20 mm2.
 41. The multi-plybath tissue of claim 32, having an opacity of at least about 2.5 MacBethOpacity Units per pound of basis weight.
 42. The multi-ply bath tissueof claim 32, comprising from about 3% to about 10% cellulosic microfiberand from about 75% to about 85% wood pulp fibers.
 43. The multi-ply bathtissue of claim 32, comprising two substantially unembossed plies andone embossed ply.
 44. The multi-ply bath tissue of claim 32, comprisingone substantially unembossed ply and two embossed plies.
 45. Themulti-ply bath tissue of claim 32, having a basis weight of from about22 to about 32 lbs per 3000 sq foot ream.
 46. The multi-ply bath tissueof claim 32, comprising at least three plies, at least first and secondplies of which comprise from about 3% to about 25% cellulosicmicrofiber, up to about 50% alkaline peroxide mechanical pulp (APMP)eucalyptus and from about 75% to about 97% wood pulp fibers, themulti-ply bath tissue having: (a) an overall basis weight of between 22and 36 lbs per 3000 sq ft ream; (b) an eight sheet caliper of at leastabout 5.25 mils per lb of basis weight for a 3000 sq foot ream; (c) abreaking modulus of between 2.5 and 3.5 g/% stretch per pound of basisweight; (d) a CD wet tensile of between 3 and 18 g/3 in. per pound ofbasis weight; and (e) a geometric mean tensile (GMT) of between 40 and70 g/3 in. per pound of basis weight, wherein the percentage ofeucalyptus APMP in the third ply is: (i) greater than at least about20%; (ii) greater than the percentage of eucalyptus APMP in the firstply; and (iii) exceeds the percentage of eucalyptus APMP in the firstply by an amount that is at least 20% of the weight of eucalyptus APMPin the first ply, if any.
 47. The multi-ply bath tissue of claim 46,wherein at least one of the plies comprises a web having a plurality offiber-enriched hollow domed regions having a relatively high basisweight, a plurality of connecting regions having a relatively lowerbasis weight forming a network interconnecting the fiber-enriched hollowdomed regions of the sheet, and a plurality of transition regions withupwardly and inwardly inflected consolidated fibrous regionstransitioning from the connecting regions into the fiber-enriched hollowdomed regions.
 48. The multi-ply bath tissue of claim 47, wherein theply comprising the plurality of fiber-enriched hollow domed regions, theplurality of connecting regions, and the plurality of transition regionsis a ply other than an interior ply.
 49. The multi-ply bath tissue ofclaim 47, wherein the fiber-enriched hollow domed regions in theplurality of fiber-enriched hollow domed regions are provided in aninterpenetrating staggered array.
 50. The multi-ply bath tissue of claim46, wherein at least two of the three plies comprise a plurality offiber-enriched hollow domed regions having a relatively high basisweight, a plurality of connecting regions having a relatively lowerbasis weight forming a network interconnecting the fiber-enriched hollowdomed regions of the sheet, and a plurality of transition regions withupwardly and inwardly inflected consolidated fibrous regionstransitioning from the connecting regions into the fiber-enriched hollowdomed regions.
 51. The multi-ply bath tissue of claim 46, wherein eachof the three plies comprises a plurality of fiber-enriched hollow domedregions having a relatively high basis weight, a plurality of connectingregions having a relatively lower basis weight forming a networkinterconnecting the fiber-enriched hollow domed regions of the sheet,and a plurality of transition regions with upwardly and inwardlyinflected consolidated fibrous regions transitioning from the connectingregions into the fiber-enriched hollow domed regions.
 52. The multi-plybath tissue of claim 46, wherein, when tested according to the WetAbrasion Lint Test, the Wet Abraded Lint Area is less than 35 mm2. 53.The multi-ply bath tissue of claim 46, wherein, when tested according tothe Wet Abrasion Lint Test, the Wet Abraded Lint Area is less than 30mm2.
 54. The multi-ply bath tissue of claim 46, wherein, when testedaccording to the Wet Abrasion Lint Test, the Wet Abraded Lint Area isless than 25 mm2.
 55. The multi-ply bath tissue of claim 46, wherein,when tested according to the Wet Abrasion Lint Test, the Wet AbradedLint Area is less than 20 mm2.
 56. The multi-ply bath tissue of claim46, wherein, when tested according to the Dry Lint Test, the ΔL* valueis less than 6.0.
 57. The multi-ply bath tissue of claim 46, wherein,when tested according to the Dry Lint Test, the ΔL* value is less than5.5.
 58. The multi-ply bath tissue of claim 46, wherein, when testedaccording to the Dry Lint Test, the ΔL* value is less than 5.0.
 59. Themulti-ply bath tissue of claim 46, wherein the plies are joined to eachother by knurling.
 60. The multi-ply bath tissue of claim 46, whereinthe plies are embossed in a pattern having primarily points to theinside and are joined by glue-lamination.
 61. The multi-ply bath tissueof claim 46, comprising three plies of tissue, wherein two plies areembossed, one ply is unembossed, and the plies are joined by knurling,wherein knurled regions are arranged in a meandering path.
 62. Themulti-ply bath tissue of claim 46, comprising three plies of tissue,wherein two plies are unembossed, one ply is embossed, and the plies arejoined by knurling, wherein knurled regions are arranged in a meanderingpath.
 63. The multi-ply bath tissue of claim 46, comprising two plies oftissue, wherein one ply is embossed, one ply is unembossed, and theplies are joined by knurling, wherein knurled regions are arranged in ameandering path.
 64. A multi-ply bath tissue having a basis weight offrom about 20 to 38 lbs per 3000 sq foot ream, and comprising: (A) apercentage by weight of cellulosic microfibers; (B) a percentage byweight of wood pulp fibers; and (C) from about 10% to about 50% of theweight of the tissue comprising eucalyptus fibers having a lignincontent of at least about 20%, an ISO brightness of at least about 84, aCanadian Standard Freeness (CSF) of at least about 400 ml, a bulk ofbetween 2.2 and 4.2 cc/g, and a breaking length of between about 1.2 and4.7 km, the multi-ply bath tissue having sufficient temporary wetstrength resin to provide an initial Finch Cup cross-machine direction(CD) wet tensile of from about 2.5 g/3 in. to about 20 g/3 in. per poundof basis weight, the initial Finch Cup CD wet tensile decaying to lessthan 65% of the initial value in less than one hour after immersion inwater, wherein at least one of the plies, other than an interior ply,comprises: (i) a plurality of fiber-enriched hollow domed regions havinga relatively high basis weight; (ii) a plurality of connecting regionshaving a relatively lower basis weight forming a network interconnectingthe fiber-enriched hollow domed regions of the sheet; and (iii) aplurality of transition regions with upwardly and inwardly inflectedconsolidated fibrous saddle shaped regions transitioning from theconnecting regions into the fiber-enriched hollow domed regions.
 65. Themulti-ply bath tissue of claim 64, wherein at least 50% of theeucalyptus fibers having a lignin content of at least about 20% arenever dried fibers.
 66. The multi-ply bath tissue of claim 64, having ageometric mean (GM) dry tensile of from about 25 to 80 g/3 in. per poundof basis weight.
 67. The multi-ply bath tissue of claim 64, having abreaking modulus of between 2.5 and 3.5 g/% stretch per pound of basisweight.
 68. The multi-ply bath tissue of claim 64, having across-machine direction (CD) dry tensile of between about 30 to about 60g/3 in. per pound of basis weight.
 69. The multi-ply bath tissue ofclaim 64, having an opacity of at least about 2.5 MacBeth Opacity Unitsper pound of basis weight.
 70. A multi-ply bath tissue product having:(A) an upper stratified ply comprising two strata, an outer stratum andan inner stratum, (a) the outer stratum comprising a blend of at leastabout 30% to about 70% kraft fiber and at least 30% to about 70% byweight of eucalyptus kraft and having a basis weight of at least about 5to about 12 lbs per 3000 sq ft ream; and (b) the inner stratumcomprising at least about 50% fibers having a lignin content of at leastabout 20% by weight and a basis weight of at least about 2.0 lbs per3000 sq ft ream; (B) an interior ply having a basis weight of at leastabout 6 to about 15 lbs per 3000 sq ft ream, comprising: (a) apercentage by weight of fibers having a lignin content of at least about20% by weight; and (b) a percentage by weight of bleached softwood kraftfibers; and (C) a lower stratified ply comprising two strata, a firststratum and a second stratum, (a) the first stratum comprising from atleast about 30% to about 70% kraft fiber and from about 30% to about 70%by weight of eucalyptus kraft and having a basis weight of about 5 toabout 12 lbs per 3000 sq ft ream; and (b) the second stratum comprisingat least about 50% fibers having a lignin content of at least about 20%by weight and a basis weight of at least about 2.0 lbs per 3000 sq ftream, wherein at least one of the plies comprises: (i) a plurality offiber-enriched hollow domed regions having a relatively high basisweight; (ii) a plurality of connecting regions having a relatively lowerbasis weight forming a network interconnecting the fiber-enriched hollowdomed regions of the sheet; and (iii) a plurality of transition regionswith upwardly and inwardly inflected consolidated fibrous saddle shapedregions transitioning from the connecting regions into thefiber-enriched hollow domed regions.
 71. The multi-ply bath tissueproduct of claim 70, wherein at least 50% of the fibers having a lignincontent of at least about 20% are never dried fibers.
 72. The multi-plybath tissue product of claim 71, wherein the outer stratum of the upperply comprises at least about 8% by weight of individualized regeneratedcellulosic microfiber.
 73. The multi-ply bath tissue product of claim71, wherein the outer stratum of the upper ply comprises at least about8% by weight of individualized regenerated cellulosic microfiber havinga number average diameter of at most about 2 microns.
 74. The multi-plybath tissue product of claim 70, wherein the interior ply and the upperstratified ply have been joined by being embossed together.
 75. Themulti-ply bath tissue product of claim 74, wherein the fibrouscomposition of the upper stratified ply is substantially the same as thefibrous composition of the lower stratified ply.
 76. The multi-ply bathtissue product of claim 74, wherein the depth of emboss of the lowerstratified ply is less than 50% of the depth of emboss of the upperstratified ply.
 77. The multi-ply bath tissue product of claim 74,wherein the depth of emboss of the lower stratified ply is less than 80%of the depth of emboss of the upper stratified ply.
 78. The multi-plybath tissue product of claim 76, wherein the outer stratum of the upperstratified ply comprises at least about 8% by weight of individualizedregenerated cellulosic microfiber having a number average diameter of atmost about 2 microns.
 79. The multi-ply bath tissue product of claim 74,wherein the lower stratified ply is generally unembossed.
 80. Themulti-ply bath tissue product of claim 79, wherein the outer stratum ofthe upper stratified ply comprises at least about 5% by weight ofindividualized regenerated cellulosic microfiber having a number averagediameter of at most about 1 micron.
 81. The multi-ply bath tissueproduct of claim 70, wherein the fibrous composition of the upperstratified ply is substantially the same as the fibrous composition ofthe lower stratified ply.
 82. The multi-ply bath tissue product of claim70, wherein the outer stratum of the upper stratified ply furthercomprises at least about 5% by weight of individualized regeneratedcellulosic microfiber having a diameter of no more than about 5 micronsand passing a screen of about 14 mesh.
 83. The multi-ply bath tissueproduct of claim 70, wherein the outer stratum of the upper stratifiedply further comprises at least about 5% by weight of individualizedregenerated cellulosic microfiber having a number average diameter of nomore than about 4 microns and a number average length of between about50 microns and 2000 microns.
 84. The multi-ply bath tissue product ofclaim 70, wherein the outer stratum of the upper stratified ply furthercomprises at least about 10% by weight of individualized regeneratedcellulosic microfiber having a number average diameter of at most about4 microns and a number average length of between about 50 microns and2000 microns.
 85. The multi-ply bath tissue product of claim 70, whereinthe outer stratum of the upper stratified ply further comprises at leastabout 10% by weight of individualized regenerated cellulosic microfiberhaving a number average diameter of at most about 2 microns and a numberaverage length of between about 50 microns and 2000 microns.
 86. Themulti-ply bath tissue product of claim 70, wherein the outer stratum ofeach of the upper stratified ply and the lower stratified ply furthercomprises at least about 5% by weight of individualized regeneratedcellulosic microfiber having a number average diameter of at most about4 microns and a number average length of between about 50 microns and2000 microns.
 87. The multi-ply bath tissue product of claim 70, whereineach of the inner stratum of the upper stratified ply and the secondstratum of the lower stratified ply comprises at least about 70%eucalyptus fibers having a lignin content of at least about 20% byweight.
 88. The multi-ply bath tissue product of claim 70, wherein eachof the inner stratum of the upper stratified ply and the second stratumof the lower stratified ply comprises debonder.
 89. The multi-ply bathtissue product of claim 70, wherein the interior ply is creped,exhibiting a percent crepe at least 3% greater than that of the upperstratified and lower stratified plies.
 90. A multi-ply bath tissueproduct having comprising: (A) an upper stratified ply comprising twostrata, an outer stratum and an inner stratum, (a) the outer stratumcomprising a blend of at least about 30% to about 70% kraft fiber and atleast 30% to about 70% by weight of eucalyptus kraft and at least about5% by weight of individualized regenerated cellulosic microfibers havinga number average diameter of at most about 4 microns and a numberaverage length of between about 50 microns and 2000 microns, the outerstratum having a basis weight of at least about 5 to about 12 lbs per3000 sq ft ream; and (b) the inner stratum comprising at least about 70%fibers having a lignin content of at least about 20% by weight, and abasis weight of at least about 2.0 lbs per 3000 sq ft ream; (B) aninterior ply having a basis weight of at least about 6 to about 15 lbsper 3000 sq ft ream, and comprising: (a) a percentage by weight offibers having a lignin content of at least about 20% by weight; and (b)a percentage by weight of bleached kraft fiber; and (C) a lowerstratified ply comprising at least two strata, including a first stratumand a second stratum, (a) the first stratum comprising from at leastabout 30% to about 70% kraft fiber and from about 30% to about 70% byweight of eucalyptus kraft and having a basis weight of about 5 to about12 lbs per 3000 sq ft ream; and (b) the second stratum comprising atleast about 70% fibers having a lignin content of at least about 20% byweight and a basis weight of at least about 2.0 lbs per 3000 sq ft ream,wherein at least one of the plies, other than the interior ply,comprises: (i) a plurality of fiber-enriched hollow domed regions havinga relatively high basis weight; (ii) a plurality of connecting regionshaving a relatively lower basis weight forming a network interconnectingthe fiber-enriched hollow domed regions of the sheet; and (iii) aplurality of transition regions with upwardly and inwardly inflectedconsolidated fibrous saddle shaped regions transitioning from theconnecting regions into the fiber-enriched hollow domed regions.
 91. Themulti-ply bath tissue product of claim 90, wherein the upper stratifiedply and the lower stratified ply have substantially identical fibrouscompositions.
 92. The multi-ply bath tissue product of claim 90,exhibiting an ISO brightness of at least:0.82×(% VCP)+0.795×(% RF)98+0.84×(% APMP+CFM), where % VCP is thepercentage of virgin chemical pulp in a sheet in an outer ply, % RF, thepercentage of recycle fiber in the outer ply, and % APMP+CMF is thepercentage of alkaline peroxide mechanical pulp (APMP) eucalyptus andregenerated cellulosic microfiber in the outer ply.
 93. The multi-plybath tissue product of claim 90, wherein a major portion of the fibersin the interior ply is never dried fibers having a lignin content of atleast about 23%, and exhibits an ISO brightness of at least about 82.94. The multi-ply bath tissue product of claim 90, wherein the weightpercentage of chemically pulped softwood fiber in the three-ply bathtissue product is limited to at most 30% of the weight of the three-plybath tissue product.
 95. The multi-ply bath tissue product of claim 90,wherein a major portion of the fibers in the interior ply has a lignincontent of at least about 23%, and exhibits an ISO brightness of atleast about
 82. 96. A multi-ply bath tissue having a basis weight offrom about 20 to about 40 lbs per 3000 sq foot ream, and comprising: (A)a percentage by weight of cellulosic microfibers; and (B) a percentageby weight of wood pulp fibers, the multi-ply bath tissue having: (a)sufficient temporary wet strength resin to provide an initial Finch Cupcross-machine direction (CD) wet tensile of from about 2.5 to about 20g/3 in. per pound of basis weight, the initial Finch Cup CD wet tensiledecaying to less than 65% of the initial value in less than 15 minutesafter immersion in water; and (b) a caliper of at least 5 mils per 8sheets per pound of basis weight, wherein at least one of the pliescomprises: (i) a plurality of fiber-enriched hollow domed regions havinga relatively high basis weight; (ii) a plurality of connecting regionshaving a relatively lower basis weight forming a network interconnectingthe fiber-enriched hollow domed regions of the sheet; and (iii) aplurality of transition regions with upwardly and inwardly inflectedconsolidated fibrous regions transitioning from the connecting regionsinto the fiber-enriched hollow domed regions.
 97. The multi-ply bathtissue of claim 96, having an opacity of at least about 2.5 MacBethOpacity Units per pound of basis weight.
 98. The multi-ply bath tissueof claim 96, comprising from about 5% to about 25% cellulosic microfiberand from about 75% to about 85% wood pulp fibers.
 99. The multi-ply bathtissue of claim 96, having a basis weight of from about 22 to about 32lbs per 3000 sq foot ream.
 100. The multi-ply bath tissue of claim 96,wherein, when tested according to the Wet Abrasion Lint Test, the WetAbraded Lint Area is less than 35 mm2.
 101. The multi-ply bath tissue ofclaim 96, wherein, when tested according to the Wet Abrasion Lint Test,the Wet Abraded Lint Area is less than 30 mm2.
 102. The multi-ply bathtissue of claim 96, wherein, when tested according to the Wet AbrasionLint Test, the Wet Abraded Lint Area is less than 25 mm2.
 103. Themulti-ply bath tissue of claim 96, wherein, when tested according to theWet Abrasion Lint Test, the Wet Abraded Lint Area is less than 20 mm2.104. The multi-ply bath tissue of claim 96, wherein, when testedaccording to the Dry Lint Test, the ΔL* value is less than 6.0.
 105. Themulti-ply bath tissue of claim 96, wherein, when tested according to theDry Lint Test, the ΔL* value is less than 5.0.
 106. The multi-ply bathtissue of claim 96, wherein, when tested according to the Dry Lint Test,the ΔL* value is less than 4.5.
 107. The multi-ply bath tissue of claim96, wherein, when tested according to the Dry Lint Test, the ΔL* valueis less than 4.25.
 108. The multi-ply bath tissue of claim 96, whereinthe plies are joined to each other by knurling.
 109. The multi-ply bathtissue of claim 96, wherein the plies are embossed with a pattern havingprimarily points to the inside and are joined by glue-lamination. 110.The multi-ply bath tissue of claim 96, having a geometric mean (GM) drytensile of from about 17 to 80 g/3 in. per pound of basis weight. 111.The multi-ply bath tissue of claim 96, having a CD dry tensile ofbetween about 30 to about 60 g/3 in. per pound of basis weight;
 112. Abath tissue having a basis weight of from about 20 to about 40 lbs per3000 sq foot ream, and comprising: (A) a percentage by weight ofcellulosic microfibers; and (B) a percentage by weight of wood pulpfibers, the bath tissue having: sufficient temporary wet strength resinto provide an initial Finch Cup cross-machine direction (CD) wet tensileof from about 2.5 to about 20 g/3 in. per pound of basis weight, theinitial Finch Cup CD wet tensile decaying to less than 65% of theinitial value in less than 15 minutes after immersion in water, whereinthe bath tissue includes at least one ply comprising: (i) a plurality offiber-enriched hollow domed regions having a relatively high basisweight; (ii) a plurality of connecting regions having a relatively lowerbasis weight forming a network interconnecting the fiber-enriched hollowdomed regions of the sheet; and (iii) a plurality of transition regionswith upwardly and inwardly inflected consolidated fibrous regionstransitioning from the connecting regions into the fiber-enriched hollowdomed regions.
 113. The bath tissue of claim 112, having an opacity ofat least about 2.5 MacBeth Opacity Units per pound of basis weight. 114.The bath tissue of claim 112, comprising from about 5% to about 25%cellulosic microfiber and from about 75% to about 85% wood pulp fibers.115. The bath tissue of claim 112, having a basis weight of from about22 to about 32 lbs per 3000 sq foot ream.
 116. The bath tissue of claim112, wherein, when tested according to the Wet Abrasion Lint Test, theWet Abraded Lint Area is less than 35 mm2.
 117. The bath tissue of claim112, wherein, when tested according to the Wet Abrasion Lint Test, theWet Abraded Lint Area is less than 30 mm2.
 118. The bath tissue of claim112, wherein, when tested according to the Wet Abrasion Lint Test, theWet Abraded Lint Area is less than 25 mm2.
 119. The bath tissue of claim112, wherein, when tested according to the Wet Abrasion Lint Test, theWet Abraded Lint Area is less than 20 mm2.
 120. The bath tissue of claim112, wherein, when tested according to the Dry Lint Test, the ΔL* valueis less than 6.0.
 121. The bath tissue of claim 112, wherein, whentested according to the Dry Lint Test, the ΔL* value is less than 5.0.122. The bath tissue of claim 112, wherein, when tested according to theDry Lint Test, the ΔL* value is less than 4.5.
 123. The bath tissue ofclaim 112, wherein, when tested according to the Dry Lint Test, the ΔL*value is less than 4.25.
 124. The bath tissue of claim 112, having ageometric mean (GM) dry tensile of from about 17 to 80 g/3 in. per poundof basis weight.
 125. The bath tissue of claim 112, having a CD drytensile of between about 30 to about 60 g/3 in. per pound of basisweight.
 126. The bath tissue of claim 112, having a caliper of at least5 mils per 8 sheets per pound of basis weight.